The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) responded to the collision of two (2) vessels, the MV Palawan Pearl and BKM 104, in the South Harbor Anchorage area in Manila around 02:10am today, July 8, 2021.
Based on the initial investigation, it was found that BKM 104 was a foreign utility vessel contracted to carry out dredging and other land development activities required for the construction of New Manila Airport. The cargo vessel MV Palawan Pearl is half submerged where an ‘oil sheen’ has been observed spreading around it.
According to PCG, Rexchel Fabrigas of MV Palawan Pearl said about 3,000 liters of diesel oil filled the oil storage tank of the said ship before the incident occurred. It also has a drum of diesel oil, 60 liters of engine oil, and five liters of bilge oil.
To control the oil spill the PCG Marine Environmental Protection Command is now preparing for the laying of four (4) segments of the oil spill boom around the ship. Deslite the incident, no one was hurt among the crew of the two vessels.
The PCG advised the management of 2 vessels to file a marine protest in connection with the said incident.