The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) on Friday generated a map showing the possible extent of the oil spill in Manila Bay due to the sinking of MT Terra Nova.
The map includes the tanker’s location as well as a satellite image taken at 5:40 a.m. of the oil leak covering an area of 14.4 square kilometers.
The image was retrieved from the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, which provides Earth-observation satellite data to support disaster management efforts.
“Please be advised that this map is still subject to field validation,” PhilSA said.
Reports said the MT Terra Nova departed Bataan for Iloilo when it capsized 3.6 nautical miles east off Limay town around 1:10 a.m. on Thursday.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), 16 of the 17 crew members were rescued, while one crewman was found dead. The PCG on Friday said it started collecting oil to counter the spread of the spill.
“There are oil spill booms in the area, there are dispersants, and there are environmental protection personnel,” PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo explained.
Balilo said that the oil spill was coming from the working fuel of the motor tanker and not from the 1.4 million liters of stored industrial oil.
In the worst-case scenario in which the cargo of 1.4 million liters of industrial oil leaks from the motor tanker, Balilo said the waters of Parañaque, Manila, Navotas, Bulacan, and Pampanga would be affected.
“We are utilizing our manpower, mobilizing our resources, consulting with experts, and collaborating with LGUs (local government units) and other stakeholders to avoid a marine environment catastrophe,” Balilo said.
The Philippine Navy on Thursday said it has sent one of its frigates and two newly activated tugboats to assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations for a motor tanker that capsized and sank off the coast of Limay, Bataan.
Navy spokesperson John Pierce Alcos said the naval service particularly deployed its guided missile frigate, BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), which is capable of surface, sub-surface, air, and electronic warfare, and has electronic sensors, long-range missiles, acoustic guided torpedoes, and embarked anti-submarine helicopter.
BRP Jose Rizal is the same warship that sailed on a sovereignty patrol last July 9 in commemoration of the seventh anniversary of the renaming of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise, highlighting the country’s claims of the maritime area.
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