PCG: Elements of Coast Guard Marine Environmental Protection Unit (CGMEPU) successfully conducted a clean-up operation on an oil spill from a cargo vessel moored at Berth 1, Pier 16, North Harbor, Manila last Monday, 05 May.

The oil spill incident was reported to Coast Guard Sub Station (CGSS) North Harbor by the security officer of Manila North Harbor around 10:45 AM of the said day.

Subsequent inspection revealed that 100 liters of oil spilled from M/V General Evangelista and spread around the vicinity where it was moored.

M/V General Evangelista, with 5,025.00 gross tonnages, is owned and operated by NMC Container Lines Inc.

CGSS North Harbor and MEPU found out during an onboard inspection that the ship's Cargo Hold No. 3 was already flooded with bunker oil about a foot deep and some of the crew were cleaning contaminated container vans inside the hold using rags and foams.

MEPU personnel supervised the clean-up and recovery operation of the ship’s crew on the affected area using foams, absorbent pads, and pails. Likewise pictures and samples were taken for laboratory analysis.

On May 06, the Clean Leaf International Oily Waste Collector started siphoning about 20,000 liters of bunker oil at Cargo Hold No. 3 and was stored at NMC container lines yard for proper disposal. Around 7:30 AM of same day, MEPU personnel onboard DF-334 conducted survey and inspection at vicinity of Pier 16 and North Harbor Breakwater and observed no more traces of oil spill in the area.

The Coast Guard issued Marine Pollution (MARPOL) Inspection Apprehension Report in violation of HPCG MC 01-2005 for discharging approximately 100 liters of bunker oil and failure to notify the PCG of the spillage.

The master and owner of the vessel were advised to settle subject violations within the prescribed period and to appear at Coast Guard Station Manila for adjudication.