Motor tanker that caught fire in Batangas had 41 containers of used oil —PCG

MT Sea Horse, the motor tanker that caught fire in front of Batangas Port on Sunday, was carrying 41 containers that each had 20 liters of used oil, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Batangas said.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire that led to the deaths of two crewmen, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita on Monday, based on information gathered by GMA Regional TV Balitang Southern Tagalog.

One survivor was injured and is still in the hospital.

The fire started at 9:07 a.m. while the motor tanker was at the Alpha Anchorage of Batangas Port, Dr. Amor Calayan of the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said on Sunday.

Three tugboats in the area identified as Motor Tug Great Lark, Motor Tug Sedar 7, and Motor Tug Sedar 8 promptly responded and helped battle the fire, the PCG said.

Meanwhile, joint personnel of PCG diesel fast boat (DF 308) and Bureau of Fire Protection conducted fire combat operation onboard the MT Sea Horse, it added.

Fire out was declared two hours later at 11:08 a.m.

Meanwhile, a standby oil spill boom is being prepared for possible oil spill response after the Marine Environmental Protection Group Batangas coordinated with Petron Company, the PCG said. —KG, GMA Integrated News