UAE 'equipped to handle any leak from sunken ship'

The UAE is well-equipped to contain any possible leak from sunken White Whale oil tanker, says UAE Minister of Environment and Water Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahd. The tanker remains on the sea bottom 35km offshore with 1,000 tonnes of diesel fuel in its holds since late October. In an interview on Tuesday with Gulf News, Bin Fahd assured those living along the coastline that a series of emergency plans and contingency measures are in place should an emergency arise. "All of the plans are in place," said Bin Fahd, noting that for now, the ministry has dispatched an inspection team to survey the scene of the sinking to ensure any crisis is properly contained. Article continues below High waves Dubai Ship Building and Engineering has been contracted to raise the ship as soon as possible. "The ship is stable and we already contacted a company to survey it and to take it out," Bin Fahd said on the sidelines of the Middle East Electricity conference in Dubai. He noted that efforts to re-float the ship since it sank in late October have been hampered by high winds and high waves. "Sea conditions have prevented us from taking it out," he said. "It's under observation and there is no problem with it." To date, there has been no major diesel spill as a result of the sinking but commercial anglers have complained in recent days of small fuel oil slicks floating on the surface near the shipwreck site. Anglers have complained that the floating diesel fuel believed to be emanating in very small quantities are contaminating fish caught in the area. In an interview on an Ajman radio station on Tuesday, Dr Mariam Al Shenasi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Environment and Water, denied claims by anglers there was fuel oil leaking from the ship. Onus on ship owner Recent Gulf News reports clearly show a rainbow-coloured film on the water's surface near the site. Al Shenasi said that unfavourable sea conditions were preventing a company contracted by authorities to salvage the ship. She also warned that if the White Whale were brought up in heavy seas, the strain of unstable conditions could break the ship's hull. Any breach in the vessel's hull could see the release of the fuel oil stored in the ship's hold. As per Federal Law No (24) on environment protection and development, the owner of a ship which causes or is involved in any environmental pollution or risks, shall bear all charges and expenses. To date, the owner of the White Whale has been referred to Umm Al Quwain prosecution after his lawyer in December said his client could not pay for the salvage operation.