Oil spill off Changi East: MPA media release

Collision between MT Bunga Kelana 3 and MV Waily in the Singapore Strait - Update 2
MPA media release 26 May 10;

Efforts to contain and clean up the oil slick following the collision between the Malaysian-registered tanker, MT Bunga Kelana 3 and the St Vincent and The Grenadines-registered bulk carrier, MV Waily continued through the night and Wednesday morning.

Non-toxic and bio-degradable oil spill dispersants were used to break up the oil slick into smaller globules and containment booms were used to contain and prevent the oil slick from hitting the coastlines.

At around 2:00am on 26 May 2010, small patches of oil and sheen were sighted at Changi Naval Base. 6 response craft equipped with dispersants were on site to manage the oil and sheen.

Other than this, the oil slick has not affected Singapore's coastlines. The waters in our anchorages and the Traffic Separation Scheme south of Changi were reported to be clean.

As at 11.30am on 26 May 2010, 15 craft and more than 120 personnel were deployed as part of the containment and clean up efforts. 3,300 metres of containment booms are being used to contain the oil slick.

Weather, tidal and wind conditions play an important role in the containment of the oil slick. Efforts to contain and clean up the oil slick are continuing. Traffic in the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singapore Straits remains unaffected.

Members of the public can contact MPA's 24-hours Marine Safety Control Centre at 6325 2489 to report any sighting of oil slick in our waters or coastlines.

Further details will be released when available.


ISSUED BY THE MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (MPA)

For clarifications, please contact:

Ms Serene Tan

MPA media hotline: (65) 8366-2294

Email: Serene_Tan@mpa.gov.sg