GALAPAGOS (22 Jan 2001) -- The oil tanker Jessica, owned by Acotramar, has run aground near port Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island and thousands of gallons of oil have spilled into the sea. The vessel is carrying 160.000 gallons of diesel and 80.000 gallons bunker fuel, which were to be used to fuel the tourism vessel Galapagos Explorer. The Ecuadorian Navy, Ministry of the Environment and Galapagos National Park are coordinating an effort to pump fuel out of the tanker and move it by barge to port but officials are worried that slow fuel evacuation process will be hampered by bad weather over the next week. Damage to the hull has flooded the engine room and the vessel is listing badly and in danger of sinking. One of the bunker fuel tanks has opened up spilling thousands of gallons of fuel oil that is slowing moving towards the center of the archipelago. | | Oil spill threatens wildlife The oil spill has already affected more than 10% of the coastline in Wreck Bay and Galapagos Park staff are working around the clock to save contaminated wildlife. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
