IMPACT ON MARINE LIFE
The Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said on Saturday that apart from cleaning up the beaches, it is also focusing on minimising the impact on its waters and surrounding wildlife.
Local conservation group Marine Stewards told CNA that the affected marine wildlife appeared to be mainly around the Southern Islands, although it remains too early to see the full extent of the damage.
According to Marine Stewards founder Sue Ye, the group is aware of one kingfisher that has been rescued from Marina at Keppel Bay. Another kingfisher was seen covered in oil at Lazarus Island.
“We have also seen photos of dead fish, and otters covered in oil,” she said.
The non-governmental organisation is helping to facilitate the rescue and rehabilitation of any affected marine wildlife together with Friends of Marine Park. ACRES is also ready to assist, said Ms Ye.
“It is still too early to see the full extent of the damage as different animals may be affected in different ways,” she added.
“We do not know if all of the oil is getting adequately cleaned up, or how long that will take, as the oil spill covers a large area between Pasir Panjang all the way to East Coast Park. Cleaning up the oil may involve the introduction of even more chemicals into the water that could affect marine life.”
Singapore authorities said in an earlier statement that the oil spill from the vessel had been contained and there had been no further leak from the ship since Friday evening.
Close to 1,500m of containment booms have been deployed since Friday at various locations, including the three beaches at Sentosa, the entrance of Keppel Marina, off Labrador Nature Reserve, East Coast Park and West Coast Park.
Another 1,600m of booms will be laid over the next few days to prevent the further spread of oil onto the shore.
The Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) is working with British Marine, the insurer of the stationary tanker, to set up a contact for third-party claims by “affected parties who have been impacted”.