Indonesian navy to investigate possible asphalt spill from tanker that sank off Pulau Bintan

Antara 28 Jan 11;

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Navy Headquarters in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands province, is to monitor and investigate 1,100 tons of asphalt loaded in a Singaporean tanker that went down in Pulau Berhalas waters, Bakau Bay, Bintan on Thursday (Jan 27).

"We will investigate any possible spill of oil and asphalt carried by the sunken tanker to prevent sea contamination," a spokesman of the Indonesian Navy Headquarters IV in Tanjungpinang Naval Major Hariyo Poernomo said here Friday.

According to him, the authorities had not identified the containment method of the asphalt, whether in a tank or drums.

The Singapore-flagged tanker, which had hull number MT AB9, was manned by 14 Thai citizens and sunk in Bintan during its voyage from Singapore to Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, at 1 p.m. of local time, Thursday (Jan 27).

The tanker developed a leakage on its cargo tank after hitting reef in Berhalas waters at 11.30 a.m. before sinking.

All 14 crew members managed to save themselves and the ship`s documents by lifeboats and rubber boats.

Indonesian navy personnel and fishermen from Bakau Bay, then rescued the 14 survivors. The Thais are now accommodated at the Immigration Office of Tanjungpinang.

The 14 survivors are Pisanu Panruksa, Sathit Hankla, Sakkarin Manakla, Werayut Na Pahattalung, Mana Sudthayalai, Prasert Chinphet, Nisit Keawpee, Chanwut Chaengtrong, Chookeat Khairam, Pisit Worapipattanakul, Santi Sae-Tan, Prakrong Sangbudda, Sombat Wantunat and Chakkit Boonkla.