SINGAPORE: The Sentosa Development Council (SDC) began to cordon off affected parts of Palawan Beach several hours after it was first notified by the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) at about 3.30pm on Friday (Jun 14).
Dredger Vox Maxima hit stationary bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal at about 2.20pm that day, resulting in some oil from a damaged cargo tank spilling into the water.
In response to CNA’s queries, SDC said on Monday that it began monitoring the waters for potential spread of the oil spill near Sentosa’s beaches after being alerted by MPA on Friday afternoon.
At approximately 9.20pm, SDC said it started to cordon off affected parts of Palawan Beach, while the clean-up started the following morning.
“On Jun 15, 2024, at about 7am, we observed the spread in waters due to the tidal current throughout our beaches, at Palawan, Siloso and Tanjong, as well as Sentosa Cove,” it added.
“We immediately deployed staff to commence clean-up at our shores alongside MPA and relevant authorities.”
When asked what was the situation when MPA first alerted SDC, the council pointed to the authority’s first press release on Friday in relation to the incident.
“The affected cargo tank has been isolated and the spill contained,” the release read.
“MPA, Port Authority of Singapore (PSA) and the bunker vessel company have activated oil spill response craft to the location. The oil spill clean-up operation is currently in progress.”
Sentosa’s beaches remain open to the public, but sea activities and swimming are still not allowed at Tanjong, Palawan and Siloso beaches.
Beaches on three Singapore islands – St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu – are also closed until further notice, the authorities said on Sunday evening, after Friday’s oil spill spread to several coastlines.
The closure of the beaches at the islands is in addition to areas B to H of East Coast Park, as well as the jetty and rocky shore of Labrador Nature Reserve, which have been closed since Saturday.
