Rapid Control of Fuel Spill in the Caribbean Coast
Apparently the vessel’s fuel tanks were being filled up when the hose slipped out of the attachment and fill into the water. An estimated 135 gallons of fuel were dumped into the ocean before a crew member spotted the incident.
Workers from the Costa Rican Petroleum Refinery (RECOPE) were immediately at the scene where floating barriers were placed in the water to avoid the spill to reach the open sea. As of yesterday afternoon, RECOPE brigades were still working on cleaning up the spill by means of absorbent materials.
Other RECOPE members as well as local environmentalists went out to examine the area in order to assure that fuel did not escape out to nearby bay area as well as the jetty.
The immediate action carried out by the RECOPE authorities confirmed the organization’s capability of attending to these local and small emergencies in an efficient and rapid manner.
Costa Rica has also signed an agreement with the Clean Caribbean and Americas Organization in case of an emergency of much larger proportions.
Filed under: Beach
[...] Original post by carolyn [...]