The Tribune

THE Department of Environmental Health reported that a 75-foot Haitian sloop that sank in Inagua’s Mathew Town harbour spilled a mixture of diesel and oil into the water.

The find was reportedly made at around 6:30 yesterday morning. The vessel sank some time during the night.

“The wooden Haitian sloop in question was recently confiscated after a drug enforcement operation. The amount of fuel spilled is estimated to be approximately 220 gallons of a mixture of oil and diesel fuel,” said an official statement released last night.

“Assistance in responding to the incident has been rendered by Morton Salt with the supply of oil spill equipment in conjunction with staff from the Department of Environment Health Services and the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” the statement said.

It said a response team from the Port Department was poised for immediate mobilisation, but bad weather delayed their arrival in Mathew Town.

The team was to leave for Inagua this morning.

“The port officials will monitor, assist and supervise the clean-up in conjunction with the Department of Environment Health Services and the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” the statement said.

“The Ministry of Transport and Aviation is presently reviewing the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas with a view to strategically positioning oil spill equipment throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

“Oil spill response equipment has been obtained by the Port Department to ensure that there is response equipment available to the Bahamas government to respond to oil spills. As the equipment is cost intensive and funds are limited, the placement of the equipment is based on potential risk.

“This incident in Inagua, our southern most island, highlights the importance of now ensuring that islands are strategically provided with oil spill response materials and equipment throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and also that protocols are put in place for decommissioning arrested vessels in similar circumstances,” it said.