May 16, 2023
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Zero leakage was discovered in a Chinese vessel loaded with nickel ore, which was stranded in Eastern Samar, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) mentioned on Thursday.
Credit: GMA Integrated News/ YouTube
The PCG substation based in Guiuan, along with the Marine Environmental Protection Unit (popular as Mepu), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (better known as the DENR), the local government and the agent of a Chinese-flagged bulk carrier dubbed the MV Zhe Hai 168 conducted a thorough ocular examination on 19 April.
In its statement, the PCG said that the Chinese crew members had confirmed that no leakages/damages inside the vessel were seen.
No trace of oil spills has also been found in that area.
The Mepu further conducted a surface assessment to discover the possible traces of an oil spill. The search had a negative result.
MV Zhe Hai 168 had run aground in the waters about 2.7 nm off the Barangay Sulangan shoreline in the Guiuan town on 18 April. An expert salvage team from Singapore will reach the area on Thursday.
Following the pull-out of the bulk carrier, the PCG expects to carry out yet another hull examination. At the same time, the DENR will evaluate the state of corals in the marine protected area close to the vicinity waters for damage claims.
This is not the first case of a Chinese vessel encountering an issue in Guiuan town. On 26 January, Kai Dai 899, a supply vessel with seven crew members, reportedly drifted on the island village of Suluan facing the Pacific Ocean.
PCG informed the vessel stayed in that area as of Thursday.
Reference: Philstar, Inquirer.net
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