Oil fouls Chaguaramas waters, Boardwalk

(Trinidad Express Newspapers) The Environmental Management Authority (EMA) this afternoon confirmed that oil has fouled the waters off Chaguaramas and come ashore at the Boardwalk.

In a statement, the EMA said it was advised this morning of reports of an oily substance in the waters between Carrera Island and the Chaguaramas Peninsula.

“On receipt of the information, the EMA in accordance with its coordinating role, immediately notified the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) and the Maritime Services Division (MSD).  A Team is currently on site investigating this incident with the assistance of the Air Guard of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (for aerial surveillance) and a vessel provided by the IMA”.

The Team has reported the presence of an oily substance between Alcoa and Five Islands with the substance concentrated within Williams Bay and along the Boardwalk. Some streaks of oily sheen were observed near Harts Cut and near Five Islands. No oily substance was observed further west of Five Islands. The Team is continuing its investigation to identify the potential source of the oily substance.

The Maritime Services Division has advised all marine craft to be aware of the oily substance in the water and to report to the Agencies on the extent of the spill and any information with respect to who may be responsible for the spill.

Further updates will be provided as the investigation proceeds.