From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Lightering of the M/T Formosa Falcon now in sight
By Ministry of Transport and Aviation Bahamas
Oct 1, 2013 - 7:20:44 PM
Representatives of the Formosa Falcon have located a vessel to lighter the cargo from the grounded vessel. The Formosa Falcon has been grounded since 26th September 2013 with approximately 54,689.569 metric tons of alkylate on board. The lightering vessel, the Alga, is scheduled to arrive in Freeport Grand Bahama on Friday 4 October, 2013. The Alga is presently sailing from New York.
After three unsuccessful attempts to refloat the M/T Formosa Falcon, a decision was made by the master of the vessel to lighter the ship of some its cargo to assist in refloating the vessel. It is anticipated that approximately 6000-8000 metric tons of the cargo will be transferred from the M/T Formosa Falcon.
The National Oil Spill Advisory Committee convened a special meeting on 1st October, 2013 to discuss the issues relative to the grounded vessel including contingencies for the lightering and refloating operations. There is also a planned meeting with the Local Oil Spill Committee in Freeport, Grand Bahama, to coordinate efforts and to ensure that adequate safety precautions are put in place during these operations.
A Senior Port Officer was deployed to Freeport on Monday 30th September, 2013, and a technical team from The National Oil Spill Committee will travel to Freeport, Grand Bahama on Friday 4th October, 2013 to assist the Local Oil Spill Committee in monitoring the entire operation, and to ensure that safety mechanisms are in place to safeguard the marine environment. The team will remain in Freeport for the duration of the lightering and refloating operations involving the M/T Formosa Falcon.
Once the vessel is successfully refloated, the vessel will be transferred into deeper water where a comprehensive underwater inspection will be carried out. Additionally, the area where the vessel was grounded will undergo a survey to determine the extent of the damage, if any, to the marine environment. The BEST Commission and the Department of the Environment will lead this effort.
Safety precautions remain in place with one tug on stand-by and containment booms have been deployed. Authorities are maintaining constant communication with the ship’s technical staff to ensure that all issues are reported in a timely manner. The ship’s captain continues to ensure that soundings of the ship’s tanks are conducted every six hours, and the results are transmitted to the Senior Port Officer in Freeport Grand Bahama. Authorities have also requested that the classification society provide constant data on the structural integrity of the vessel under the present conditions at sea.
The Bahamas Government via The National Oil Spill Advisory Committee, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and the Ministry of Environment and Housing remain focused on protecting lives at sea and preserving the marine environment.
Periodic updates will continue to be issued as necessary.
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