US Coast Guard, weather team helping in oil spill response

MANILA, Philippines — Eight marine environmental and weather experts from the United States have arrived in Bataan to provide technical assistance to the ongoing recovery operations for three recent maritime incidents.

In a statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that the seven experts from the US Coast Guard (USCG) and one from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reached the Incident Command Post in Lamao Port in Limay, Bataan yesterday.

“They will lend their expertise maybe in the aftermath of the oil spill and the coastal management, while NOAA will advise us on the kind of weather and what would be the best strategy to apply given the kind of weather that we have in the country. They will be the ones that could help us in these
 aspects,” PCG spokesman Armand Balilo said.

Porta Vaga Ship Management Group, the owner of the sunken motor tanker Terra Nova, meanwhile, denied allegations that they are involved in oil smuggling.

“The owners of MT Terra Nova categorically deny the allegations of smuggling and involvement in pa-ihi operations,” Porta Vaga said in a statement.

“Pa-ihi” is a process where oil from large vessels is transferred to smaller craft at sea to avoid paying taxes.

It pointed out that security measures, such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, have been put in place on the ship to ensure that no illegal activities would take place on board while at sea.

“MT Terra Nova is equipped with a comprehensive CCTV system as part of the company’s proactive measures to prevent oil loss,” it said.

The shipping company added, “Since the commencement of its operations, there have been no records of oil loss claims or reports of abnormal losses filed against MT Terra Nova by any of its charterers.”

It also assured the public that it would cooperate in the investigations that would be conducted in connection with the sinking of its vessel in Limay, Bataan, which was carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil.

The shipping company has also been meeting with local government officials of Cavite, Bataan and Bulacan to assess the impact and cost of the oil spill, especially to families living in coastal towns who