GIBRALTAR, 2 September (EUROPEAN PRESS) –

The government of Gibraltar has reported this Friday evening that over the next few hours it plans to complete the extraction of all low-sulfur fuel oil from the tanks of the two carriers OS35, semi-submerged off the Rock after the collision. with other vessels, while experienced independent accident investigators from the UK have begun work on reports for “prevention of future accidents by determining their cause and circumstances”.

In particular, the Gibraltarian authorities have reported that as of 7 p.m. this Friday, 80 tons of low-sulfur fuel oil had been extracted from two OS35 tanks, with the idea of ​​extracting the remaining 16 tons from these tanks. during this night. Emptying tank two, according to Gibraltar, represents the extraction of more than a third of low-sulfur fuel oil from OS35.

Already this Saturday morning, as planned, preparations will begin to empty tank one which has a total capacity of 126 tons of low-sulphur fuel oil. The mayor of La Línea de la Concepción, Juan Franco, has indicated on his side, this afternoon, that a spill caused by the ship OS35 has reached the coast of the municipality, particularly Poniente, warning environmentalists of the “significant” impact of the discharge. on the environment.

Meanwhile, the Ports of Gibraltar Authority (GPA) plans to install a new diamond-shaped barrier around the ship, “to better contain oil that may leak out”, a task that “could last 12 hours or more”.

In light of the spill, however, Gibraltar defended that “the 2 J formation continues to work on the east flank to deal with the remainder of the oil spill, which is starting to move northeast due to two-way currents in the area.”

In addition, the Gibraltar Sea Accident Investigation Compliance Officer has appointed an independent and experienced accident investigator from the UK, under the Gibraltar Merchant Shipping Regulations, to conduct an investigation into the collision of the bulk carrier OS35 and the ADAM LNG ship in August. 29, 2022.

Due to this accident and subsequent management, the captain of the ship OS35 was arrested by the Royal Gibraltar Police, but was eventually released.

Investigators have now arrived in Gibraltar and have examined the evidence given to him. “The sole purpose of an investigation under the Regulations is the prevention of future accidents by determining their causes and circumstances. The investigator’s report will seek to analyze the safety issues related to the accident and will endeavor to make recommendations aimed at preventing future accidents,” the Gibraltarian authorities pointed out. .