The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) confirmed that the body of the missing crew member from the capsized motor tanker Terra Nova was found Thursday afternoon.
“As of 3 PM today, 25 July 2024, the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) has located the body of the missing crew of MT Terra Nova in the vicinity waters off Limay, Bataan,” the PCG reported.
MT Terra Nova, which departed Bataan for Iloilo, capsized 3.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point in Limay at around 1:10 AM. Out of the 17 crew members, 16 were rescued, with four requiring medical attention.
The 498-ton tanker, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, sank early Thursday. The exact cause of the sinking remains under investigation.
An oil spill was detected 5.6 nautical miles east of Lamao Point, covering an estimated two nautical miles. Marine environmental protection personnel were dispatched to contain the spill, with three PCG vessels aiding in the response.
Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stated that they aim to complete the siphoning of the stored fuel within seven days. “These vessels will start the application of oil dispersants to immediately mitigate impact, especially during the period where siphoning is being prepared,” Gavan said.
PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo noted that the siphoning process is expected to be swift due to the vessel’s shallow sinking depth of 34 meters. “Siphoning will not be very technical and can be done quickly to protect the vicinity waters of Bataan and Manila Bay against environmental, social, economic, financial, and political impacts,” he said.
The oil spill response is supported by Oil Spill Response Organizations (OSRO), oil companies, and local government units. The National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCOP) will guide the interagency and public-private partnership approach to the operation, led by PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM) commander Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria.
Balilo also noted that MT Terra Nova complied with regulations, as there was no Public Storm Warning Signal (PSWS) in Bataan during the incident.