The Tribune

MORE than 200 gallons of oil were spilled into Freeport Harbour early Sunday morning, according to the Ministry of Environment.

Minister Ken Dorsett issued a statement yesterday saying the spill, from the bunker barge Smit Inesita, occurred because of an overflow of light diesel as it was being pumped from the vessel to the Mt Butterfly, just before sunrise.

“The ministry was informed that once the overflow was noticed, the Mt Butterfly shut down the operation a half hour into the operation,” Mr Dorsett said.

“The government authorities in Freeport were informed and notified relevant personnel in New Providence.

“It was reported that less than approximately 210 gallons of fuel was released between the Butterfly’s port quarter and the Smit Inesita’s port bow.”

Mr Dorsett said officials at the BORCO fuel refinery immediately went into defensive mode, its emergency crew putting booms in place around the source of the still and also protecting other areas to which the fuel might spread.

The safety measures were in place by 1pm, when efforts to clean up the spill began.

Harbour Launch Services was hired to work along with BORCO and a crew from the MV Victoria, which happened to be in the harbour at the time.

Mr Dorsett said shoreline crews mopped up the oil from the surface of the water. He said no dispersants were used.

“The public is advised that there is a protocol for dealing with oil spills, and preliminary findings indicated that those established procedures were followed,” he said.

“Today, BORCO conducted a walk-about with the Port Department and representatives of the Department of Environmental Health Services in Freeport.

“Investigations into the cause of the spill are ongoing.

“I wish to assure the Bahamian people that the Ministry of the Environment and Housing and its agencies are working with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and BORCO to effect remediation as quickly as possible.