‘Nina’ postpones start of toxic chemical retrieval
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/20/2008 10:29 PM
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Retrieval operations for the toxic chemical cargo on the capsized MV Princess of the Stars off waters in Romblon province has been stalled as Tropical Storm “Nina” approaches Eastern Luzon Saturday.
Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Undersecretary for Maritime Affairs Ma. Elena Bautista told ABS-CBN News Channel’s Prime News Saturday that the decision to delay the start of retrieval operations has been given to Titan, the salvor of the passenger ferry owned by Sulpicio Lines.
“We were supposed to fly to Romblon tomorrow to start the operations but the bad weather has prevented us from doing so we have given advise to the salvor of Suplicio to take all necessary precautions depending on how the effect of the typhoon will be at ground zero and if it will endanger the divers and the other people... we won't mind a little delay in the start of the salvage operations,” said Bautista.
The operations on the MV Princess of the Stars would have started on Monday with the arrival of a large barge that can retrieve the toxic chemicals in the sunken ship. An initial survey dive was supposed to be conducted Sunday prior to the start of the salvage operations.
Tropical Storm "Nina" (international codename Hagupit) has strengthened as it continues to threaten Eastern Luzon, the country's weather agency announced in its latest bulletin Saturday afternoon.
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA), in its 5 p.m. bulletin, said "Nina" has maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. The center of the storm was located 520 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes and was moving west northwest at 15 kph.
‘Everything is in place’
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| Barge for toxic chemical retrieval astride the capsized MV Princess of the Stars (ABS-CBN News) |
Bautista earlier said Saturday a "big time" barge is already off Sibuyan island in Romblon province.
Bautista explained that the salvor was able to put in place the equipment earlier than planned. She said the operations would have been able to start earlier than the planned September 24 but the bad weather could move back the start to the original date of the 30-day retrieval operation.
“Everything is in place, all the equipment are there, all the experts are there and just the weather is not very cooperative . We'd rather stay on the safe side. We will make decisions as the days go by… As soon as the weather clears up we will begin the dive,” said Bautista.
Bautista said the toxic chemicals in the sunken ship, such as endosulfan, are still intact.
However, fishing is still banned within a five-kilometer radius of the MV Princess of the Stars.
Bautista explained however that the fishing ban was still precautionary as no leak of the toxic chemical has been detected. She said the daily samples of the water from the area indicate that there was no contamination from the toxic chemical.
Environmental disaster
UN and EU experts have confirmed that five pesticides and other toxins were aboard a ferry that capsized in the Philippines in June killing hundreds of people and urged steps to prevent an environmental disaster.
The experts' report released last month said the ferry was carrying a "substantial" amount of toxic pesticides as well as 100,000 liters of fuel for its engines when it capsized on June 21.
It said that one container aboard the wreck was found to contain the pesticide Endosulfan and another the pesticides Carbofuran, Propineb, Metamidophos and Niclosamide.
The experts recommended improved monitoring of water, sediment and air to assess the risk of pollution and to coastal populations.
So far, no leakage of chemicals or oil from the wreck had been detected, EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said August 1.
"I hope that the suggestions made by our experts concerning sampling procedures, bio-monitoring and precautionary measures will help ensure that this dreadful tragedy does not also turn into an environmental disaster," he said.
United Nations expert Vladimir Sakharov said the accident underscored the need for preparedness and contingency planning for such incidents.
The bodies of hundreds of people are believed still trapped in the MV Princess of the Stars ferry, which ran around and capsized off Sibuyan island during a typhoon in one of the worst maritime accidents in the Philippines. -With reports from ROD MACENAS and ATOM ARAULLO, ABS-CBN News; Reuters
