Asia/Pacific News
Citizens Call for Faster Debunkering Process After Cargo Ship Grounding off Hong Kong's Discovery Bay
Government efforts in Hong Kong to respond to an oil spill from grounded cargo vessel, Yuhai 1, have come under criticism by local residents who are pressing for expedited debunkering and salvage operations, local media reports.
The vessel, which ran aground near Discovery Bay during Typhoon Hato on August 23, is reported to have been carrying 50 tonnes of marine fuel and gas oil at the time of the incident - some of which is still on board.
The Hong Kong Marine Department has since appointed its Protection and Indemnity Club to organise salvage operations.
A contractor hired by the club is now undertaking clean-up efforts and has deployed oil booms around Yuhai 1.
The Marine Department has said the "the condition is now under control."
However, with oil reported to have been spotted outside the oil boom last Tuesday, local residents have questioned spill response methods and are urging the government to expedite salvage efforts.
"They acted very slowly. When the typhoon came, they didn't think about how they were going to get the boat back out – it had not sunk by that time – or what they were going to do with it. Until the ship sank and the oil leaked out – now they've put up booms but the Marine Department's boat is nearby and it's not doing anything," said District Councillor Amy Fung to local media.
"The shipowner and the insurance company are not sensitive enough [about environmental damage]."
The Marine Department says it been in communication with the insurance throughout the process, and will continue to work to help facilitate the salvage operation.
