2,000 Litre Oil Spill In Phuket Waters

[webfact]

2,000 litre oil spill in Phuket waters
Nattha Thepbamrung



PHUKET: -- Around 2,000 litres of fuel has spilled into the harbour off Koh Sirae after a fishing boat sank last night (March 21), but officials say the spill is “under control”.

The Pemika sank last night, spilling fuel into the harbour off Koh Sirae.
Phuket Marine Police Deputy Superintendent Lt Jeerayuth Onthong said he was first informed of the situation this morning around 7am. So far it is not known who the boat, named Pemika, belongs to, but Mr Jeerayuth confirmed it was carrying around 20,000 litres of fuel.

The oil spill is around 200 metres by 20 metres in size.

Puripat Teerakulpipat, Phuket Marine Office Director confirmed that the situation was “under control” and the leaking fuel would not flow to the beaches on Koh Sirae. The Marine Police had set up a boom which was controlling the fuel, and was using dispersant as well, he said.

“We haven’t seen any affected fish or birds so far, and there aren’t a lot of fish in these waters,” said Mr Puripat.

“We have had good co-operation between the Phuket Marine Office, Royal Thai Navy, Marine Police and the PTT fuel company. The PTT gave us the boom and the dispersant, and private boats have helped us. The Navy and the Marine Police are now using the dispersant to break up the fuel.”

Lt Jeerayuth said that the staff of Asian Marine, whose office is in front of the boat, noticed the boat last night as there were crew on board trying to fix the boat.

“Then they left the boat and never came back again. We are still searching for the owner of the boat, as we don’t know who is responsible for this event. We also are trying to find the cause of the sinking.”

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/2-000-litre-oil-spill-in-phuket-waters-38057.php


-- Phuket News 2013-03-22

[laislica]

Super story, no one hurt and plenty to speculate with

Bring it on TV posters.....

[zappalot]

and there aren’t a lot of fish in these waters

not any more at least and not caused by this oil spill of course...

this is the only thing i believe from what the official is saying...

[Judo Chop]

Just chuck in 300 litres of degreaser and problem solved.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Not exactly a 2,000 litre oil spill - more like a 2,000 litre diesel fuel spill.

BIG difference...

[Dancealot]

Big difference is 2m3 oil or 2000 litre oil. They have put it quite drastically, wouldn't you say?

It's a minor spil and surely not a Valdez disaster.

The number 2000 has been used to attract readers, that's all.

[Yahooka]

Not much of a disaster.It will soon evapourate into thin air.........it will be more damage when the heavy lubricant and hydraulics oils seeps out.

[captnhoy]

Surely the registration numbers will lead them to the owner with no delay . . . . . There IS a registration number right?

[Locationthailand]

My question exactly, the registration number of the vessel should lead to the owner but of course, there in lies the failure of the system. Harbours and Marine here is pathetic.