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CPA moves to contain oil spill on Tinian
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Posted on Aug 11 1999
A repossessed and dilapidated fishing vessel sank on Tinian Harbor early Tuesday morning causing an oil spill in the surrounding area.
The Commonwealth Ports Authority, together with the Emergency Management Office, U.S. Coast Guard and the Commonwealth Development Authority, carried out containment efforts to prevent any harmful effects on the environment.
“We are taking every precaution in the interest of safety and environmental protection, and we’re very pleased with the cooperation we’ve received from everyone involved,” said CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas. As early as Monday morning, Salas received a report from Tinian Ports Manager Sylvestre Palacios that JQC II, berthed at Tinian finger pier was taking on water.
CDA, which owns the vessel, tried to save it by pumping out the water but the equipment failed at around Monday afternoon. At about 10:30 pm, JQC II, which has been surrounded by a primary containment barrier (oil spill boom) for several months, was surrounded by a second containment barrier.
The vessel sank at approximately 12:34 am.
Salas said EMO would need special assistance from Guam on how to float the vessel. He added that the ports authority would still be working with the other government agencies in having the vessel sunk out in the open sea.
So far, all threats to navigation on Tinian Harbor have been removed and work is being done to protect the environment, Salas said.
The oil slick completely surrounded by the primary containment barrier measured about 100 feet by 75 feet. Officials said the JQC II fuel and oil tanks had been drained and that the resulting spill is comprised of a relatively small amount of residual oil from the vessel’s engine.
The Division of Environmental Quality and the Coastal Resources Management will evaluate the environmental impact of the spill which will take at least two days to soak up.
Although the cost of the clean up has not yet been determined, CDA will handle the payment of the cost of the incident.
He said the ports authority will find a way to get the dilapidated boats out of Tinian Harbor.
