The Royal Thai Navy has been instructed to expedite the monitoring of an oil spill in the Gulf of Thailand after a tanker carrying 500,000 litres of diesel oil sank on Saturday.
VAdm Pokkrong Monthatphalin, spokesman for the navy, yesterday said the First Naval Area Command was told about a sunken vessel, Por Andaman 2, 24 nautical miles off Chumpon province about 7.15pm that day.
He said VAdm Pichai Lorchusakul, commander of the First Naval Area, had instructed a fleet of 114 patrol boats and flying units to examine an oil spill that could affect residents living along coastal areas. Multiple markers were placed around the oil spill area to establish a safe perimeter.
Each unit of the navy has been instructed to support the Marine Department's clean-up efforts and retrieve the sunken ship, as well as warn residents about the oil spill, he said.
The sunken ship's captain, identified as Wayu Moryadee, and five other crewmen were rescued by a fuelling vessel, he said.
Thai Laemthong Fishery Oil Trade Co Ltd, owner of the sunken ship, has been notified about the incident and is prepared to help clean up the spill, he said.
After the spillage is cleaned, the company must be ready to retrieve the sunken ship and work with the navy to check the safety of its other vessels, he said.
An initial probe showed strong winds and rough waters caused the ship's flooding, he said, adding the crew failed to pump the water out and the ship sank, leaking diesel oil in the area. As diesel oil is light and thin, it can naturally decompose, he said.
