(MENAFN) A Japanese remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) has found the Princess Empress, the tanker that sank off the central island of Mindoro in the Philippines on February 28, carrying 800,000 liters (210,000 gallons) of industrial fuel oil. The tanker, which is nearly 400 meters (1,300 feet) below the waves, has contaminated the waters and beaches of Oriental Mindoro province and other islands. The ROV will assess the hull’s condition before a decision is made on how to “control the spill from its source.”
The Philippine government has sought assistance from several countries, including Japan, the United States, and France, to help contain and clean up the slick. Thousands of hectares of coral reefs, mangroves, and seaweed could be affected, officials have said. To protect the coastal waters, people in the fishing and tourism industries rely on for their livelihoods. Oil spill booms made out of hay, human hair, and other materials have been deployed. Oil has been spotted as far away as Casian Island, off the north coast of the western island of Palawan, about 350 kilometers (220 miles) southwest of where the tanker sank.
The slick reached waters known for their rich marine life. Officials said they were concerned about the impact on the environment, and the livelihoods of those in the fishing and tourism industries. The disaster also highlights the risks of shipping in the region, where sea traffic is heavy and a large number of vessels are not properly maintained, posing a threat to the marine environment.
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