The National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) says it continues to carefully monitor the ongoing oil spill which occurred off the coast of Tobago on February 7.
In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the neighbouring Republic, the Government of Grenada was informed of an overturned vessel leaking oil.
Preliminary laboratory testing by the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), Trinidad and Tobago, indicate that the samples are characteristic of a refined oil, possibly a fuel oil or marine diesel, and additional samples are being collected for further analyses.
REPORT:
The estimated quantity of oil onboard the overturned vessel has not yet been confirmed.
We understand that Trinidad and Tobago has engaged regional and international entities to assist with the clean-up efforts and that itβs willing to provide resources, where possible, to Grenada to assist with clean-up efforts if it becomes necessary.
Satellite imagery indicates that the oil spilled from the vessel travels to the south and southwest of Tobago, and then in a northwesterly direction.
This path takes the oil to the southern tip of the Economic marine boundaries of Grenada, and then in a westerly direction into the Caribbean Sea.
There are still no reports of the spilled oil reaching close to the shores of Grenada, and NaDMA says it will continue to remain vigilant as the movement of the oil is dependent on weather and sea conditions
Any impact of the oil spill on the shores of Grenada will require significant response-resources, and, therefore, according to NaDMA, all local resources have been placed on standby, and regional and international partners have been alerted of the need for additional resources if necessary.
NaDMA gives the reassurance that the situation is being monitored, and the public should continue to pay attention to the updates and any announcements related to the oil spill.
