Asia/Pacific News
Two Killed During Bunker Spill Mitigation Efforts After Boxship Runs Aground
Two crew members were killed during a pollution mitigation operation in Taiwan after the 1,530 TEU TS Taipei ran aground on a shallow reef about 300 metres off the shore of New Taipei, spilling an unspecified amount of heavy fuel oil (HFO), according to local media reports.
The vessel, which is owned by Taiwanese shipping company TS Lines Co., LTD. (TS Lines), is said to have been carrying 450 metric tonnes of fuel at the time of the collision.
In addition to a breach sustained by one of the TS Taipei's tanks, which caused the spill, it is reported that the collision also led to breaches within the aft of the vessel's hull and flooding in the engine room.
The helicopter, dispatched by Taiwan's National Airborne Service Corps, is said to have evacuated the vessel's 21-member crew earlier that day, but crashed after transporting environmental inspectors who were sent to determine the severity of the oil spill.
Helicopter pilot Lin Chen-hsin, and Tsai Tsung-ta, a rescue team member, are reported to have been killed in the crash, while co-pilot Chu Yao-chung is said to be in critical condition after suffering hypothermia and serious injuries.
Taiwan's Coast Guard Administration (CGA) said that a containment boom had been deployed in order to keep pollution from the spill from spreading.
As part of the investigation into the incident, prosecutors are reported to be examining whether TS Lines or the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) were the party to request the helicopter's assistance, as well as whether the request to National Airborne Service Corps was in-line with established procedures.
"As the damaged ship was leaking fuel and polluting the environment, a fine can be levied against the company. However, we do not understand how government agencies are dealing with the situation, because no judicial investigators were on the case, while a government helicopter was loaned for the shipping company's purposes," said a coast guard officer.
