We confirm that OSRL has been mobilised in Singapore to advise and support the response to an oil spill resulting from a vessel collision. In response, five of our expert Technical Advisers were swiftly deployed as part of the OSRL's 5x5 Technical Advisory Service. Our dedicated team is actively supporting the impacted site and the Incident Command Centre. Our responders are fully committed to providing technical expertise and supporting efforts to minimise the impact on the environment and human life. We are working closely with other organisations involved in this critical response.
*Progress of Joint Oil Spill Clean-up Operations* On 14 June 2024, Dredger VOX MAXIMA had reported a sudden loss in engine and steering control before its allision with bunker vessel MARINE HONOUR. The master and its crew are assisting MPA in our investigation. The allision caused a rupture of 1 of MARINE HONOUR’s oil cargo tanks, and its contents of low-sulphur fuel oil were released to the sea. MPA patrol craft were immediately activated and deployed to spray dispersants on the spill. MPA’s oil spill response contractor was also activated, and mobilised an oil skimmer to reduce the impact of the spill. Booms were also laid around the vessels thereafter as added precaution in case of further leaks from the vessel. Due to the tidal currents, parts of the oil spillage have landed along the southern shorelines including Sentosa, Labrador Nature Reserve, Southern Islands, Marina South Pier, and East Coast Park. Close to 1,500 metres of containment boom have been progressively deployed since last Friday, at various locations including the 3 beaches and West Coast Park. Another 1,600 metres of boom will be laid over the next few days to prevent further spread of oil onto the shore. The booms are less effective when there are higher waves above 0.5 metres. Use of dispersants can help to break down the surface oil into droplets to enhance biodegradation. For treated oil with dispersants, these may be suspended in the water and be carried by tidal currents to coastlines. Oil recovery efforts at sea are progressing. Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL) is supporting the clean-up efforts. OSRL will deploy 2 Current Buster systems, which are floating containment and recovery devices deployed from a vessel. It consists of a boom with a skirt that extends below the water surface to corral and concentrate the oil on the water surface. OSRL’s capabilities will be in addition to 2 skimmer craft deployed. The skimmer craft is a specialised vessel equipped with skimming equipment to skim and “lift” the oil off the water surface into storage tanks. For more details: https://lnkd.in/g7u2ybn3