THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) participated in the simulation test conducted by Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc. (contracted salvor) at Lamao Port, Limay Bataan, yesterday, 07 August 2024.
The said test which is part of the siphoning operation for MTKR Terranova demonstrated the effectiveness of the prototype tank.
Following the simulation, the PCG presided over a debriefing meeting to discuss simulation test observations.
“We learned that heavy fuel oil flows when siphoned and confirmed the necessity of hot tapping each tank to prevent water mixing. This process is time-consuming due to water depth and divers’ 25-minute limits. With these insights, we can establish a timeline by Friday,” the contracted salvor emphasized.
Various government officials, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (RDRRMO), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Science Education Institute – Department of Science and Technology (DOST), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also participated in the said initiative.
Meanwhile, the DOST recommended stopping the use of oil dispersants around the sunken MTKR Terranova, observing that a thin oil sheen indicated dispersants were no longer needed.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the Philippine Coast Guard – Philippines Facebook Page.
