Clean-up operations expand as oil reaches water off Changi

Authorities have deployed additional booms to contain the incident. 

Authorities have advanced to the next phase of clean-up operations as the oil leaking from the damaged cargo tank at Pasir Panjang Terminal spread to other areas. 

In a joint statement, authorities said some of the oil has been seen off Changi as of Monday.

Authorities have deployed oil-absorbent booms off biodiversity-sensitive areas at Chek Jawa Wetlands at Pulau Ubin, Coney Island Park, and Pasir Ris Park as preventive measures.

Booms were placed in West Coast Park to shield the mangroves at Marsh Garden, although it remains unaffected by the oil spill.

Authorities will also deploy additional containment and absorbent booms in the coming days to protect the fish farms at the East Johor Straits, the Chek Jawa Wetlands, and Changi Creek.

“A Current Buster system, a specialised oil floating containment and recovery device deployed from vessels will be deployed on 18 June off the Changi Exhibition Centre as a pre-emptive measure. Each system consists of a boom with a skirt that extends below the water surface to corral and collect the oil on the water surface,” authorities announced.

So far, authorities have deployed 1,500 metres of booms at  Keppel Marina, East Coast Park, Labrador Nature Reserve and West Coast Park. 

Over the next few days, authorities will place an additional 1,600 metres of booms on Sentosa Island, Labrador Nature Reserve, and Southern Islands.

They also deployed oil-absorbent booms along East Coast Park beaches, which are significantly affected, and at canal openings to trap oil and prevent it from flowing back.

Meanwhile, the Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) has deployed Current Buster systems off Labrador Nature Reserve and Bedok Jetty, which can collect up to five tonnes of oil in one craft load before discharging, authorities said. 

T&T Salvage and Singapore Salvage Engineers Pte Ltd have deployed two skimmer systems at Marina South Pier and off East Coast Lagoon.

The Sentosa Development Corporation, for its part, is working closely with experts and contractors to assist in cleaning and restoring the water quality along affected Sentosa beaches and to protect the cove waterways. 

Vacuum pumps have been deployed at Tanjong Beach to remove surface oil whilst trained personnel are removing oil spills from the beaches. 

At Labrador Nature Reserve, an oil slick had adhered to the rock bunds along the Promenade area, with oil sheen observed in the surrounding waters. 

The National Parks Board (NParks) has deployed oil-absorbent booms to protect Rocky Shore and Berlayer Creek.

Authorities have closed some beaches to give way to clean-up operations.