The island’s management company, Sentosa Development Corp. was alerted on Friday evening to “incidents of oil leaking into sea waters” near one among the beaches because of this of an accident between two ships on the terminal, based on a notification sent to Sentosa. residents on Saturday.
The notice showed that by Saturday morning, the oil slick had spread to other beaches on the island, in addition to to Sentosa Bay, a residential enclave with greater than 2,000 homes. It said all beaches had been closed to activity and clean-up had begun.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said on Friday evening that it was investigating an oil spill that occurred after the Dutch-flagged dredger Vox Maxima struck the Pasir Panjang terminal and the Singapore-flagged bunker Marine Honor within the afternoon. Authorities then said the damaged cargo tank had been isolated and the leak contained.
On Saturday morning, the smell of crude oil hung thick over Tanjong Beach, where black oil covered the sand and rocks on the virtually empty coast. Cleanup crews and lifeguards wearing protective gear worked just meters away from the beach volleyball players, who continued to play despite the fact that some said the smell caused headaches.
Tanjong Beach Club, which is generally full of guests on weekends, was largely empty. Scattered tables with a handful of guests seated looked out onto a shoreline cordoned off by tape and warning signs.
One of them read: “Oil stain spotted. Cleaning is in progress. Please stay away from the water.”
Oil booms, or floating physical barriers, shall be used “to stop further contamination,” based on a notice to residents sent by Knight Frank Property & Facilities Management on behalf of Sentosa Cove Resort Management.
MPA and Knight Frank didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment.
