May 16, 2023
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The Government has reportedly been advised by the port captain that, due to the extreme weather conditions at sea, the OS 35 has shifted a little from its position and separated even further in the part of the earlier damaged hull.
Some oil residue can be observed escaping from the vessel, likely coming from the keel duct that had pipes connecting fuel tank No1 to the vessel’s engine room.
It is essential to stress that the possible extractable oil was successfully removed from the OS 35 in 2022, and the observed oil is the residues contained in the duct at the bottom of its structure.
The Boom surrounding OS 35 was removed earlier in the week in anticipation of extreme weather conditions, now reached, as the boom wouldn’t have been so effective in such weather conditions, would have possibly been torn apart and added to the other risks of secondary contaminations.
It is, hence, impossible to reinstall the boom surrounding the vessel until the weather conditions get better.
The government recommends the public avoid beaches, especially in the East, until further notice.
Besides, the Gibraltar Port Authority collaborates closely with the Department for the Environment to ensure oil and tar balls are contained as fast as possible.
Reference: Safety4 Sea, Gibraltar Port Authority
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