Elizabeth Gonzales
Tobago Correspondent
Close to 400,000 gallons of oil and polluted water have been vacuumed into frac tanks in Tobago, from the overturned barge that ran aground off the coast of Cove on February 7.
Guardian Media has confirmed that there are 24 tanks on the island. To date, 17 are filled.
Meanwhile, the Bonaire government yesterday said the oil spill was now posing a “serious threat to both humans and nature” on the Dutch-speaking Caribbean island.
In a statement, the government said parts of Bonaire’s east coast, including Sorobon, Lac and Lagun, have been contaminated with oil and vulnerable mangrove, fish and coral ecosystems are at risk.
“The emergency services are now committed to a rapid and effective cleanup of the oil slicks,” a statement said.
There was no immediate information on the size of the slicks that had reached Bonaire’s east coast, but social media posts by residents showed pictures of oil-stained sand, reefs and birds at some beaches.
Yesterday, a supplier of the frac tanks, who is currently in Tobago, told Guardian Media that water and other particles are vacuumed along with the oil into the tanks.
A frac tank is a steel tank used for storing various substances such as petroleum products, chemicals, manure, saline water, and proppants. It can hold large capacities of liquids or solids. These tanks come in various sizes, ranging from 8,400 gallons to 21,000 gallons.
Considering the volumes of oil still contained out at sea and even more oil deposits stuck to the shoreline and on rocks, Tobago Emergency Management Agency director Allan Stewart said the team was prepared to use a barge if capacity on land ran out. But for now, Stewart said the 24 tanks, coupled with containment cells at Studley Park, should be sufficient.
“Based on the seaward operations, there is a possibility that it may be augmented by a barge when that operation gets into the picture if it becomes necessary,” Stewart told Guardian Media. “They hold at least 20,000 gallons, each of them. The THA has made arrangements to dig cells up at the Studley Park area to deal with the overflow or overload.”
He added, “We have endured a steep climb, and we are on a plateau now where we are enjoying a level of success. We have it under control, and it’s only a matter of time.”
Stewart admitted that there are serious challenges in the Lambeau area. “I know there are some difficult areas along the shoreline that are very stubborn because of accessibility and utilising the gully suckers-type apparatus to extract the oil from those coves in the beach area we are now working on in the Lambeau area.
“Because these schools remain closed, we are working very hard and pushing it so that we could have these things achieved. Also, air and water qualities in the area are continued to be monitored with a comprehensive way in how we approach.”
He said they will hold discussions on how the island will deal with restoring affected areas at the mangrove in Lowlands near the Magdalena Beach and Golf Resort.
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries has completed the initial survey of the wrecked vessel. The survey collected data on water conditions, underwater topography, and seabed imagery using advanced technology.
This data will be used to create maps and charts showing water depth and potential dangers around the wreck. These maps will help safely bring support vessels to the area.
At the same time, the response team will deploy the NOFI Current Buster Technology, which is part of the oil containment system. This technology is designed to deal with the oil spill and restore the affected marine area.
Up to yesterday, the Lambeau Anglican Primary and Scarborough Secondary schools remained closed. However, in a release, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) said they conducted testing at both schools which showed the air quality exceeded recommended safety standards, indicating that outdoor activities can proceed safely.
