- 1drums of toxic endosulfan recovered from sunken ship
- Yul Malicse
alsalam alikm guys this last report about the sunken ship
1drums of toxic endosulfan recovered from sunken ship
Yul Malicse
Expert divers of Salvor Titan Salvage Co. and its Philippine agent, Harbor Star, retrieved the other day 22 drums of toxic endosulfan chemicals from the sunken MV Princess of the Stars off the coast of San Fernando, Romblon.
Task Force Princess of the Stars head, Transportation and Communications Undersecretary Maria Elena Bautista, said that the retrieval of the toxic endosulfan, if weather permits, would be completed in 12-16 days.
"US-based salvor firm Titan and its local partner Harbor Star have started retrieving the endosulfan from the wreck. As of 1 p.m. last Tuesday, 22 packs of endosulfan, out of 400, had been retrieved, Bautista said.
This brings the total number of drums of endosulfan retrieved since last Monday to 26, she said.
Latest report stated that as of yesterday afternoon, a total of 81 drums of the chemicals had been retrieved.
Each pack weighs 25 kilos, and the retrieved packs are sealed in steel drums once placed on board the Big Time barge.
She said that as soon as the experts concluded that moving the endosulfan will not affect the stability of the ship, the divers immediately set in motion the retrieval plan and decontamination procedure.
The divers and the personnel receiving the containers on the barge were wearing hazmat (hazardous material) suits. These are people trained on the handling of toxic substances.
They follow strict decontamination procedure after each dive or handling of the chemical.
"The plan now is to remove all toxic materials as fast and as safe as possible. Simultaneously, procedures are in motion to remove the bunker fuel estimated at 250 tons. We have to ensure the safety of the personnel working in the area," Bautista stressed.
For the retrieval of hydrocarbons or bunker fuel, six flanges were attached to the different fuel tanks. Two or more flanges may have to be attached. The next step is to bore holes in each flange, and hot-tap the bunker fuel from different tanks.
"Removing the hydrocarbons may take a few more days, depending on the weather. A great part of the vessel is submerged, and this means waves and visibility are factors in the operation.
"Rest assured that the salvors contracted by Sulpicio Lines are working as fast as practicable," said Jordan Go of Sulpicio Lines and Rodrigo Bella of Harbor Star.
After the chemicals and hydrocarbons are extracted, the bodies of the ferry passengers will be retrieved.
Plans for the retrieval of the bodies have been presented to the task force by Sulpicio Lines and Harbor Star. The retrieval operation is targeted to start in Oct. 24, 2008.
At a press conference, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo D. Tamayo said the PCG Special Operations Group (SOG) provides security to the team of divers, composed of 15 foreigners and 20 Filipinos, hired by Titan and Harbor Stars.
Dr. Lynn Panganiban and Dr. Gloria Balboa of the Department of Health said endosulfan is a strictly restricted chemical.
Only Del Monte Philippines is allowed to import it exclusively for its pineapple plantation.
here the link http://www.mb.com.ph/PROV20081002136826.html
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