Disaster Management is warning people not to throw cigarette butts into Apia harbour because of a “strong fuel presence” at Apia harbour late Thursday night.
An official inquiry has been called after one emergency worker claimed the spill involved more than 100 metric tonnes of unleaded petroleum.
According to reports the incident happened at around 9.30-10pm with emergency services rushing to the scene at Mulinuu to contain the spill.
The Disaster Management Office issued a bulletin on its Facebook page yesterday morning informing the public of the emergency.
“We advise the public who are currently at the Marina or within or around that area to refrain from lighting any fire or smoking and disposing cigarette butts into the sea due to strong fuel presence there,” the D.M.O.
warned.
“Authorities will be working on cleaning out the fuel so please take precautions when handling fire or anything associated with it when around the area.”
Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Transport C.E.O. Vaaelua Nofo Vaaelua has commissioned an inquiry into the incident, which will be headed up by the A.C.E.O. of the Maritime Division Fepulea’i Faleniu Mark Alesana.
Petroleum Product Supplies (P.P.S.) confirmed the spill yesterday afternoon without specifying the quantity, but saying it was “immediately stopped.”
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In contrast to Disaster Management and other sources, P.P.S. downplayed the extent of the emergency.
P.P.S. staff said that “shortly after commencing the discharge of bulk fuels at the Apia Wharf late on Thursday night the 1st (sic) May 2014, a quantity of Petrol leaked into the harbour.
“The discharge of bulk fuel was immediately stopped and P.P.S. personnel contacted the S.P.A. (Samoa Ports Authority), the fire brigade and Police and emergency procedures were put into place to contain the spillage and disperse it.
“The sea area around the wharf and nearby areas were monitored closely throughout the night to ensure the fuel had not migrated to shore or other areas where they could pose a hazard.
“An inspection of the pipeline underneath the old wharf was carried out at first light this morning, and it was discovered that a large log of wood was jammed against the submerged pipeline under the wharf, and this had caused a leak in the pipeline.”
P.P.S. reports that the pipeline has now been sealed off and all fuel that remained in the pipeline has been pumped out.
“The wharf and surrounding area has been cleared of all spilled fuel and the area declared safe,” P.P.S. says.
“In the meantime, the tanker has sailed for Pago Pago but will return to Apia tomorrow to complete discharge. “The tanker will berth at her normal berth at the new wharf, and will use a separate pipeline from that wharf which was not affected by this incident.”
Transam Samoa is the port agent for all fuel tankers that dock at the Mulinuu Wharf.
The Company’s Managing Director Tom Hogarth said the vessel was not at fault. According to Mr Hogarth the ship was here as per usual on its monthly fuel supply run to Samoa.
“We are not sure how it happened,” he said. “All I know from my end is it wasn’t the vessel.
“There was no leak at the hook up and no leak from the vessel.
“We are quite lucky that it is petrol and not diesel as it would have been a worse situation.”
Mr Hogarth said there was fuel in the water and that it was “widespread”.
“I heard there were divers checking the pipes today but there hasn’t been any reports as yet,” he said.
“All I can say visually from the ship and at the connection point (on the ship) there were no leaks visible, that is the firm information I have at the moment.”
He did confirm the M.W.I.T inquiry saying he had received an official letter. “It basically says there is now an official inquiry,” he said.
A source who was a part of the initial response team to the spill, did not want to be named, said the spill happened during a routine transfer of fuel from the port down to the depot at Mulinuu.
“I think it is roughly 120-160 Metric tonnes (135,593 – 190,791 litres) of petrol that was actually spilled,” the source said. “It was pretty sick.
They claimed the petrol had spread from around the ship, down to the Marina and across to the Government Building and Fish Market.
“It was just lucky there was no wind last night.”
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