A second oil tanker has sunk off the coast of Bataan province, west of Manila, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Sunday.
The MTKR Jason Bradley went down on Saturday afternoon near Mariveles town, according to Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, the PCG spokesperson. Coastguard vessels deployed to the area confirmed the sinking and observed an oil slick spreading from the vessel. An oil boom has been put in place to contain the spill.
Unlike the first tanker, which was carrying industrial fuel oil, the MTKR Jason Bradley was only carrying working fuel, according to PCG Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina. Salvage operations are expected to begin soon and last for about two weeks.
Meanwhile, the siphoning of industrial fuel oil from the first sunken tanker has been delayed as divers work to seal leaking valves on nine of its tanks. The process is expected to resume on Tuesday. While a small amount of oil sheen from the first tanker has reached the waters off Bulacan province, the PCG assures the public that the situation is under control.
The sinking of the two tankers within days of each other has raised concerns about maritime safety and environmental protection in the region.
