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Exuma Oil Spill – What We Know

Curious about what’s going on with the oil spill in Exuma? Here is everything you missed and everything you need to know.

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4 years ago

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Old Navy Base, Exuma after an approx. 35,000-gallon oil spill. Photo: Reno Curling

EXUMA, BAHAMAS – As the result of an alleged offloading incident in Exuma last night, approximately 35,000 gallons of oil has been littered into Bahamian waters. The vessel involved, the MT Arabian, which was contracted by Sun Oil Limited, was unloading diesel fuel to BPL at the Old Navy Base in Georgetown, Exuma. Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper has released a statement ensuring the public that actions have been enacted to mitigate the spill.

Here is what we know about the incident.

~4 A.M. Crew members of the MT Arabian discover leak during discharging process of diesel fuel delivery.

~Sunrise MT Arabian crew deploys absorbent pads and containment buoys near the shoreline.

~11:45 A.M – Environment Minister Vaughn Miller makes first comments on the oil spill.

12:25 P.M. Acting Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Exuma Chester Cooper makes statement on oil spill and mitigation efforts.

Thereafter~ Acting prime minister and media arrive on site at oil spill.

Our Marlena Leonard was on the scene.

~3 P.M. Second line of containment buoys deployed to prevent further oil spread. Also, Sun Oil Limited gives official statement on the incident.

~3:45 P.M. Minister of Works and Utilities Alfred Sears confirms pumps have been secured to accelerate oil removal and the “political will” to have the waste removed within 24 hours.

Despite the incident, BPL Manager Carlton Taylor, clarifies that the fuel lost will not have a result on the operations of the company.

UPDATE: July 21st Nearly 20,000 gallons of oil removed from the site of the spill.

UPDATE: July 22nd Director of the Department of Environmental Protection and Planning (DEPP) announces 95% completion on oil spill cleanup.

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