Vessel submerges off Surigao del Sur, causes oil spill --PCG

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A landing craft tank (LCT) submerged off the coast of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur on Tuesday due to strong winds and rough seas, resulting in an oil spill, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.

“At around 5:22 a.m., the PCG received a phone call from the vessel's captain reporting that LCT 8 had submerged, resulting in an oil spill,” the PCG said in a statement.

“All 17 crew members on board, including the captain, were in good physical condition,” it added.

An initial inspection showed oil contamination along an estimated 200-meter stretch of shoreline, with around 800 liters of oil spilled.

The PCG deployed absorbent pads and oil spill containment booms to contain the spill and prevent further contamination. Around 460 liters of oily water mixture have been recovered.

On Wednesday, Coast Guard personnel recovered an additional 170 liters of oily waste and 390 kilograms of oil-contaminated debris.

The PCG said it continues to monitor the affected coastal waters to determine further response measures.

A marine casualty investigation is also underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, according to the PCG. —Joviland Rita/LDF, GMA News