Motor tanker carrying coconut oil rams into steel bridge in Samal island

A DOMESTIC motor tanker carrying 930 metric of coconut oil rammed into the temporary steel bridge in Samal, Davao City.

The Coast Guard Station Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) has responded to a distress call from the contractor of the SIDC Davao-Samal Project on Sunday.

The “MT Toni Dominique 11,” a domestic motor tanker carrying 930 metric tons of coconut oil was navigating the Samal side of the SIDC Davao-Samal Project when it rammed into the temporary steel bridge (installed structure).

Coast Guard personnel were dispatched to the scene for assessment.

Initial investigation revealed that the involved motor tanker sustained no major damage, and no evidence of oil spillage was observed in the vicinity waters.

However, the structure of the temporary steel bridge was deformed due to the allision.

The Maritime Safety Services Unit-Southeastern Mindanao (SEM) is set to conduct a Marine Casualty Investigation (MCI) and a Vessel Safety Enforcement Inspection (VSEI) to determine the cause of the incident.

Moreover, the Maritime Environmental Protection Group-SEM continuously monitors the area for any signs of oil spillage until the completion of underwater hull inspection.