Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago announced that they have managed to refloat the Gulfstream, an oil tanker that sank six months ago and caused a spill of approximately 50,000 barrels of fuel oil on the country’s coast.
The ship, carrying 85,000 barrels of oil, capsized off the coast of Cove Eco-Industrial Park, south of Tobago, while being towed by a barge called the “Solo Creed,” which lost tracking signal after the incident.
In a statement, the Ministry of Energy explained that the rescue operation began on Monday at 5:30 p.m. (local time) and ended almost at midnight.
The ministry also revealed that the spill affected around 15 kilometres of coastline. “The Gulfstream is now located about three nautical miles (5.55 km) from its original location and is now refloated at a depth of about 60 metres off the coast of Cove, secured and supported by tugboats,” they added in the statement.
It was also announced that during the week, an “underwater inspection” of the ship will be carried out with the aim of transporting it to Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad.
However, Energy Minister Stuart Young has estimated that clean-up operations will cost around $30 million.
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2024-08-25 01:45:34