Grounded tugboat sinks off Zambales coast; authorities alerted for possible oil spill

A tugboat that was intentionally run aground off Botolan, Zambales, after its engine room flooded sank on Monday morning amid emergency salvage operations.

In a “24 Oras” report by Jun Veneracion on Monday, the vessel sank approximately 200 meters from the shore off Botolan. Authorities confirmed that it is carrying 15,000 liters of diesel.

The Philippine Coast Guard is on alert and has prepared its equipment in anticipation of a possible oil spill.

The SUAL 1, was grounded last August 14 after its engine room was flooded with seawater. Nine of its crew members were safely rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Before the tugboat sank, 10 people conducting an emergency salvage operation were seen jumping overboard from the half submerged vessel. Just a few minutes passed before the tugboat completely sank into waters around 24 meters deep.

All members of the salvage team are in good condition, according to the PCG.

The tugboat is owned by SMC Shipping and Lighterage Corporation.

At the time of the report, authorities said no oil spill was observed in the sea or in the nearby Bucao River, but the PCG remains prepared for any eventuality.

“Handang-handa po ang Philippine Coast Guard diyan. Naka-standby na po ang ating mga absorbent pads, kasama po ang ating mga oil spill response equipment sa area… Na-ensure din po natin na naka-intact po ang lahat ng fuel tanks,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said.

(The Philippine Coast Guard is fully prepared for that. Our absorbent pads are already on standby, along with our oil spill response equipment in the area… We have also ensured that all fuel tanks remain intact.)

According to Cayabyab, the tugboat was being towed toward the shore when the sinking occurred.

“Pinu-pull out na po actually itong barkong ito from the grounding area. Habang hinihila ito, dahil naka-refloat na po siya, napansin po ng ating mga Coast Guard personnel, kasama rin po itong operator ng salvage company, na unti-unti po siyang nagli-list sa starboard hanggang sa lumubog po ito,” Cayabyab said.

(The vessel was actually being pulled out from the grounding area. While it was being towed, since it had already been refloated, our Coast Guard personnel and the salvage company operator noticed that it was slowly listing to the starboard side until it eventually sank.)

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the vessel's sinking.

“Baka tumama sa isang submerged metal debris sa area na ‘yan o baka may underwater obstruction. May possibility na dumagdag po itong prevailing sea condition sa area kung bakit naging mabilis po ang pagtagilid at pagpasok ng seawater hanggang sa lumubog itong tugboat,” Cayabyab added.

(It might have hit submerged metal debris in the area or an underwater obstruction. There is also a possibility that the prevailing sea conditions in the area contributed to how quickly it tilted and took on seawater until it sank.)

According to the Zambales Coast Guard, the sunken vessel needs to be removed. However, they need to conduct an underwater survey first to determine the position of the tugboat and execute the proper salvage operation. —Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/RF, GMA News