Oil sheen observed at Palawan's Tubbataha after yacht sinking –PCG

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday said an oil sheen was observed in Tubbataha, Palawan after the dive yacht M/Y Dream Keeper sank in the area on Sunday.

“May nakitang oil sheen sa pinaglubugan pero hindi pa siya ganun karami kaya nandoon din ang oil spill response team natin. Doon sa area na pinaglubugan na four nautical miles ang layo sa wreck mismo,” he told reporters in an interview.

(An oil sheen was seen where the yacht sank, but not a lot. That is why our oil spill response team is there. This was in the area where the yacht sank, around four nautical miles from the wreck.)

For Balilo, the presence of the oil sheen was not worrisome.

“Hindi pa naman dahil oil sheen pa lang but we are closely monitoring and preparing our oil spill response team in case na may oil na tumagas na marami, we will be able to contain it right away,” Balilo said.

(It is not yet worrisome because it was just an oil sheen. But we are closely monitoring and preparing our oil spill response team in case of a major oil leak. We will be able to contain it right away.)

Four people were still missing after the sinking, including the dive master, the yacht owner, and two passengers. Meanwhile, 28 people had been rescued.

The search and rescue operation is still ongoing.

The M/Y Dream Keeper departed San Remegio, Cebu City on Thursday, April 27, and arrived at Tubbataha Reef on Saturday, April 29, at 10 p.m.

The yacht is one of those that accommodates tourists to give them a diving experience at the Tubbataha Reef, Balilo said.

Based on the initial information from passengers, Balilo said the incident was due to a squall or a sudden violent gust of wind. — DVM, GMA Integrated News