Sea vigil to be tightened
Pratch Rujivanarom,
Wimol Tubkhong
The Nation

Ships over 12 nautical miles off coast and their logbooks to be checked after recent oil spill

BANGKOK: -- THE Marine Department and related agencies have been asked to step up inspections at sea and examine the logbook of ships, as part of measures to stop ships dumping fuel.

However, a top official of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry admitted on Monday that it was too late to catch those responsible for the recent oil spill that contaminated the shore from Samut Sakhon to Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. There was no solid proof to identify the ship responsible for the damage, the official added.

Ministry permanent secretary Kasemsant Jinnawaso said there had been discussions with the Marine, Pollution Control, and Marine and Coastal Resources departments to work out |ways to prevent further problems from ships that dump or "leak" oil.

Kasemsant said the first action that would be implemented was to let the Marine Department inspect the sea more than 12 nautical miles from the shoreline to search and prevent ships from dumping oil into the sea.

"There will also be logbook inspections to check the ship's route. This could provide evidence for us to track down the culprit ship in case we find oil leaks in the area," he said.

"Because many agencies have different duties with the regards to the sea, this operation will be an integrative mission to stop oil spills," he said.

In regard to efforts to find the ship responsible for the oil spill, he said it |was very hard to track down the ship because by the time the authorities had received information, the ship had already left.

"We are now testing the fingerprint of the oil slick sample but the test result has still not come out and we have no proof to pinpoint the ship responsible for this incident [yet]," he said.

According to an earlier news report, a local fisherman in Samut Songkhram province said that a large ship had discharged oil into the sea late at night in mid-October. However, he did not see the name of the ship or take any photos.

Kasemsant admitted that the lack of attention by officials was one of the reasons they had not been able to find the ship responsible for the leak.

"I'd like to urge the public to be the 'eyes' for officers - and get in touch with us about useful information.

"I'm sure the next time the officers will be very keen to prevent such an incident," he said.

Yesterday, Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Tawee Naritsirikul said that Hua Hin City Municipality, Provincial Marine Office and Pranburi National Forest Park had all sent reports to the police to press charges over the oil leak.

"The financial loss for the business sector is now being assessed in order to file a civil lawsuit against those responsible," Tawee said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Sea-vigil-to-be-tightened-30272218.html


-- The Nation 2015-11-04

"Kasemsant admitted that the lack of attention by officials was one of the reasons they had not been able to find the ship responsible for the leak."

Pretty much the typical attitude of most Thai officials.....except of course, when there is money involved......!

Kasemsant admitted that the lack of attention by officials was one of the reasons they had not been able to find the ship responsible for the leak.

"I'd like to urge the public to be the 'eyes' for officers - and get in touch with us about useful information.

"I'm sure the next time the officers will be very keen to prevent such an incident," he said.

Let us hope so. That is what they are paid to do, and the public is entrusting them to look after the environment. This kind of behavior on the part of boat owners and captains cannot, and should not be tolerated. The gulf is very shallow, the currents are not as strong as in the open seas, and it does not take much to foul the waters. Diligence is the least we can expect from the government. Maybe it is asking too much.

"There was no solid proof to identify the ship responsible for the damage, the official added." DNA doesn't match.....

"I'm sure the next time the officers will be very keen to prevent such an incident,"

But then again, maybe not. Maybe if the Marine Department offered cash rewards to its skippers and sailors if they caught a dumping vessel, they's actually set sail.