PCG holds final inspection of sunken vessel after siphoning ended

By Raymond Carl Dela Cruz, Philippine News Agency

FINAL INSPECTION. The Harbor Star salvor vessel with a cargo ship and two ships of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) holds the final inspection of the siphoning operation at the site of the sunken MTKR Terranova in the waters of Limay town, Bataan province on Thursday (Sept. 12, 2024). The PCG said an estimated 2.57 percent of the total oil cargo of the tanker were lost since its sinking due to various factors. (Photo: Philippine Coast Guard/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has conducted the final inspection at ground zero of the sunken MTKR Terranova in Limay town, Bataan province after completing the siphoning operations of over 1.4 million liters of oily waste from the vessel’s hold.

In a status update on Friday, the PCG said a total of 1,415,954 liters of oil and 17,725 kilograms of solid oily waste were recovered by the contracted salvor, Harbor Star—representing a recovery rate of 97.43 percent.

An estimated 37,867 liters representing 2.57 percent of the total oil cargo of the vessel were lost.

During the inspection on Thursday, Marine Environmental Protection Command (MEPCOM) Commander Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria said the unrecovered 2.57 percent was lost due to factors “such as biodegradation, dissipation, absorption by sorbent booms, and unpumpable sludge left in the tanks.”

Harbor Star has also conducted a final stripping operation to ensure that the ship’s cargo oil tanks are empty.

“The said procedure is essential to confirm the removal of residual oil and to prevent leakage or oil contamination for the upcoming salvage operation,” Echeverria said.

The inspection was witnessed by Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III; Maj. Gen.l Armando Corpuz (Ret.) from the Office of Civil Defense; National Operation Center for Oil Pollution Director, Commodore Glenda Pereyra PCG; Coast Guard Station Bataan Commander, Lt. Commander Michael John Encina PCG; Arvin Catipon from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO); and other local government unit (LGU) representatives.