Coast Guard: No oil spill from partially submerged vessel

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Occidental did not detect oil spill from a cargo vessel that partially sank in the waters of Banago port here last Sunday.

Commander Ludovico Librilla Jr., PCG-Negros Occidental head, said on Wednesday that the Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU), which responds to oil spills, can attest to their assessment.

Librilla said M/J Nur-Shena, which was loaded with coco lumber from Maluso, Basilan, was supposed to deliver the cargo to Bacolod City when it probably hit a wooden post and damaged its port side.

The hole caused the vessel to submerge partially, he added.

All seven crewmembers of the vessel were safe.

The PCG also helped them unload the cargo of the vessel.

“We were able to immediately respond to the report and we have prevented possible oil spill through the laying out of oil spill boom,” Librilla said.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” he added.

The cargo vessel is expected to return to Basilan next week.