Authorities Scramble to Contain Oil Spill, Retrieve Containers off Phuket

PHUKET, Feb 11 (TNA) - Thai maritime authorities entered their third day of operations on Tuesday to contain an oil spill and recover dozens of shipping containers after a Panama-flagged vessel sank off the coast of Phuket.

The cargo ship, SEALLOYD ARC, a 4,339-gross-ton vessel, went down on Feb. 7 in roughly 60 meters of water southwest of Koh Kaeo Noi. While the ship’s captain confirmed all fuel valves were closed before the sinking, officials are monitoring the site closely.

The Royal Thai Navy has deployed booms and chemical dispersants to break up surface oil. Officials stated the environmental impact remains minimal but are using sonar to track the wreck, which has drifted about one nautical mile from its initial sinking point.

Of the 297 containers onboard, 97 were positioned on the deck and are believed to have broken loose. At least 10 have been spotted drifting in the Andaman Sea.

Meanwhile, Pollution Control Department (PCD) issued an urgent alert on Wednesday. The public is warned to stay at least 50 meters away from any washed-up containers, citing the potential for flammable or corrosive hazardous materials.

Vice Admiral Weerudom Muangjin, Commander of the Navy’s Third Area Command, urged mariners to report sightings of drifting crates to prevent navigation accidents. "We are preparing to declare the wreck site a disaster zone to ensure maritime safety," he said.

Authorities have prohibited the opening of any containers or contact with leaked substances, as many chemicals involved pose severe fire and health risks. - 819 (TNA)