Oil rig not source of spill

The Institute of Marine Affairs, along with other agencies investigating the source of an oil spill which has covered a mass of water along the peninsula from St Peter’s Bay to Scotland Bay on October 16, still have not established the source of the spill.

However, according to a release sent to the media investigators have eliminated an oil rig as one of the suspected sources. Investigators are working on the theory that the source of the spill is at the east of Point Gourde.

Oil samples were originally taken from the Rowan EXLII which was the main suspect for the spill, but after fingerprint testing on the oil samples, investigators were unable to match the contents taken from the rig with the contents polluting the waters in the Northwest.

Oil samples were also collected from two vessels off Five Islands, the Secretariat and Captain Alejandro, a sinking vessel at Escondida Bay and the Sea Pioneer off Sealots, Port of Spain.

Oil samples were not collected from another potential lead — the Liberty Biwater — because no representative was present at the time of sampling and the boat was deemed unsafe to board by the Maritime Services Division.