Oil patches sighted off Pulau Sebarok & Pulau Semakau, MPA investigating source

Several patches of oil have been sighted in waters off Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Semakau and Selat Pauh, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Nov. 1.

The MPA said it was alerted to a sighting of oil in the waters off Pulau Sebarok at about 10:25am on Nov. 1.

Its aerial surveillance subsequently confirmed several patches of oil off Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Semakau and Selat Pauh. No oil patches were sighted near West Coast, Sentosa, the Southern Islands or the East Coast during the surveillance.

The MPA has activated its oil spill response contractors, and terminals in the area have been directed to deploy spill response resources.

Relevant agencies have also been alerted to take precautionary measures to protect the shorelines, if necessary. Ships in port have been asked to report any sightings of oil patches.

The MPA said there is no impact on navigational traffic and port operations.

It is continuing its surveillance, working with agencies and terminals to mitigate and clean up the oil patches, and investigating the source of the oil.