Salvage of MISC tanker continues
MISC has announced that the fire onboard Bunga Alpinia has been extinguished and continuous monitoring of 'hot spot' areas onboard the vessel and boundary cooling is still ongoing. MISC also confirmed that another body of the five crew members who were unacounted for has been recovered in the watersearly on Sunday. The identity of the body has yet to be confirmed, the company press release said.
As for the two bodies recovered yesterday they are confirmed to be Ordinary Seaman Mohd Hanafi Bin Kalil and Senior Pumpman Zahari Bin Hassim, both Malaysians.
The search for the fifth missing crew member of Bunga Alpinia is still ongoing.
Initial observations indicate that there is a minor slick emitting from Bunga Alpinia, which is currently largely being contained around the vessel by anti pollution containment booms. The authorities and industry experts engaged by MISC have increased their efforts to contain the spill in ensuring the continuous protection of the environment and surrounding communities. Additional booms and spill containment equipment is also available on site to manage any leakage should the need arise.
Earlier reports said the fire on the MISC Berhad (MISC) owned 38,000dwt chemical / palm oil tanker broke out at approximately 2.30am (local time) on July 26. The vessel was alongside the PETRONAS Chemicals Methanol Sdn Bhd terminal in Labuan when the incident took place.
The ship had 29 crew members, of which 23 were Malaysians and 6 Filipinos. 24 people have been safely brought ashore.