Farley: Oil-spill barge heading to Trinidad

THE barge Gulfstream, which leaked oil to create a huge spill off Cove, Tobago on February 7, is to be brought to Trinidad.

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) chief secretary Farley Augustine confirmed this to Newsday via WhatsApp on August 12.

Via WhatsApp, Newsday asked him who would move the barge, how and why, but up to press time had got no further replies.

The Gulfstream was reportedly being towed by a tug boat, the Solo Creed, when it overturned on a reef and then began to leak oil.

The oil spill contaminated several kilometres of Tobago's coastline, harming beaches and fishermen's livelihoods, and reportedly also reached Grenada and Bonaire. It was reported on by media houses including Al Jazeera, BBC, Reuters and the UK Guardian.

While thousands of barrels were contained and collected, efforts were made to track the owners of the two vessels but proved fruitless.

The Tobago House of Assembly requested $134 million to curb the oil spill but the Government as of July had only given $50 million.

The Institute for Marine Affairs (IMA) described the oil as diesel-like, and said its origins would be determined by analysing its "fingerprint."

In early August, rumours appeared online that the barge was sinking but Newsday could not confirm any validity to this.

Newsday asked Augustine if the boat was leaking oil, was it sinking or being towed to Trinidad, how much of the fuel on-board had been recovered and if a clean-up grant had been received.

Augustine replied, "The process of floating the vessel has started and on August 17 and 18, an attempt would be made to tow the vessel to Trinidad.

"It was to happen two days ago, but rough seas made it impossible.

"The new dates for towing the vessel away will be August 17 and 18."