Changwon Coast Guard is conducting oil spill containment operations on a vessel anchored at Busan New Port. [Photo by Changwon Coast Guard]
The Coast Guard carried out an emergency containment operation after oil leaked from a vessel docked at Busan New Port.
The Changwon Maritime Police Station in Gyeongnam received a report via 119 at 8:06 p.m. on the 10th, stating that oil appeared to be leaking from a 90,000-ton container ship docked at Pier 6 of Busan New Port.
The Changwon Coast Guard immediately dispatched a coastal rescue boat from the New Port Police Substation and requested assistance from related agencies for containment efforts.
The responding Coast Guard confirmed that 70 liters of lubricating oil had leaked from the stern tube seal, which surrounds the ship's propeller. They installed an oil fence to prevent the oil from spreading and began containment operations.
The oil, which had spread over an area approximately 20 cm wide and 50 cm long, was completely removed by 10:16 p.m. that night.
The Changwon Coast Guard believes that the oil leak occurred due to increased pressure while closing the transfer hose valve during repairs of the tube surrounding the propeller. They are currently investigating the exact cause and quantity of the spill by questioning those involved with the vessel.
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