LIMAY, Bataan: The Philippine Coast Guard conducted at the Port of Lamao here Wednesday a simulation of the siphoning operations of industrial oil from the sunken MT. Terra Nova that as to when to start actual siphoning still being considered.
Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd said he and other concerned agencies were briefed on the simulation that will be applied on MT. Terra Nova. “Nakapag-siphon naman sila, nakapagsipsip ng oil. Umaakyat, lumalabas ang oil and very happy sila sa naging resulta, kaya ngayon kukumpletuhin nila ang plan.”
The governor said further details will be provided so that all stakeholders, including government agencies, can provide inputs before the actual siphoning operation. He said they were still waiting for the timetable and they wanted to know when and how long will the actual siphoning activities last so government agencies can also support and act.
He hoped that actual siphoning will start after this coming Friday or early next week.
Garcia said that so far, they have talked with the owner of Mt. Terra Nova and their insurer but still no word from the two other vessels, MT. Jason Bradley and MV Mirola I.
Lt. Cdr. Michael John Encina, commander of Bataan Coast Guard Station, said the simulation was successful. “Ang ginawa nating simulation ay nagpapatunay na ang gagawin ng ating salvor firm na siphoning procedure will be effective. So as of the moment naman, naging positibo at nakita natin yung result nito.”
“Ang intensyon nito is malaman ang viscosity ng langis na aangat siya kapag nag-conduct tayo ng pag-angat ng tubig dito para ma-push over ang langis. Well definitely because of the pressure of the water so mas lighter ang langis so kapag nag-inject tayo ng tubig dito, ang tubig will push over ang langis sa ibabaw at siya ang iluluwa nitong mga pipes,” Encina said.
“Ang ating salvor will be conducting scientific calculations kung gaano katagal ang gagawin nating siphoning procedure so sa ngayon ay ginagawa na nila ang mga detalye ng daily activities at gaano ang rate na makukuha nating langis per day para dito sa ginawang siphoning simulation.” he furthered.
Encina said the salvor company will present the timetable on actual siphoning not later than Friday. “Definitely, we are actually asking the salvor for that specific details because kailangan malaman ng ating mga kababayan at makapaghanda din tayo kung ano ang ini-expect natin sa magiging daloy nitong procedure na ito.”
He said that they will be giving necessary information to the salvor and likewise, it will also give the needed information before Friday. “Hindi ko masagot kung may siphoning activity na mangyayari but before Friday we will be giving you the set and the list of activities na gagawin natin whether next week kung kasama na ang siphoning.”
“Mas malamig ang ilalim so they are just observing itong possibility na mas maging viscous or mas malapot yung langis at nakita natin na hindi ito ang naging epekto kaya naging successful yung simulation natin na nakita na nagflow ang langis after natin i-pump-in ang sea water inside the set tanks,” he explained.
Encina said that some members of the United States Coast Guard saw their preparations. “There are some adjustments with the spraying ng ating mga dispersants since nakikita natin dito ay napaka-thin layer ng oil sheen so they are not advising as to do the dispersant anymore since this thin oil sheen will dissipate and be evaporated through natural weathering effect like the heat and the waves.”
He said that PCG tugboats and containment equipment are ready for deployment should oil leaks occur during the siphoning activities. (30)
