Delta Petroleum Ltd has confirmed that a minor oil spill, which occurred during a routine fuel transfer at its Carr’s Bay facility on Wednesday afternoon, was quickly brought under control.
Around 1:14 p.m., members of the community observed what appeared to be a small spill along the shoreline, approximately 200 feet from the tanker.
Local Delta manager Roselyn Cassell-Sealy said the incident was not serious and was swiftly managed.
She explained that the spill did not come from the tanker itself but from a hose used to transfer fuel to the facility. She said the rate of the pumping affected the hose, which resulted in a small leak that allowed some product to escape.
She said once the issue was detected, the tanker’s crew immediately contacted the plant, who then went out on the pilot boat with the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) and assessed the situation.
Mrs Cassell-Sealy said that operating together, both entities were able to slow the pumping rate, which stopped the leak immediately.
After stabilizing the situation, Delta was able to safely complete the delivery. Cassell-Sealy confirmed that only a small amount of fuel reached the sea and that it dispersed naturally with the movement of the water.
She also expressed gratitude for the community’s alertness and cooperation adding that it really shows what happens when the community looks after one another.
Operations at the Carr’s Bay facility have since returned to normal.