Environmental officials in the Bahamas are expressing concern over some 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel which spilled from the MV Legacy into the sea while moored at the government dock in Marsh Harbour. ﾠ
Health officials told Caribbean Net News that the oil reportedly escaped through holes punctured in a 7,000 gallon Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) tank which got damaged when it struck a guardrail. ﾠ
According to Benjamin Beneby, BEC’s Manager, there were approximately 4,000 gallons in the tank of the Legacy which was transporting fuel from Grand Cay to Nassau. ﾠ
Health officials told Caribbean Net News that several yachts at anchor in the harbour were surrounded by the shiny, brownish oil slick that was filling the air with a pungent, oily smell. ﾠ
“We’re very concerned about the damage this can do to the maritime life in the harbour so we’re airlifting Pat Bain and a crew from BayChem Spill Technologies in Nassau to contain it.” ﾠ
“I am very concerned about the yachting trade, the seabirds, and the fish in the harbour,” said Bain, who pointed out that the process should take about two to three days to complete the containment and removal. ﾠ
Bain said he views the 2,000-plus gallons’ spill as significant owing to the fact that the harbour is a small area in which the environmental impact can be easily magnified. ﾠ
The atmosphere around the harbour was filled with the odour of diesel.
Norman ‘Gus’ Thomas, Caribbean Net News
