A US-flag cargo vessel has leaked fuel off the resort island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas.
Reuters reported that 35,000 gallons of diesel escaped from a ship named as the Arabian early on Wednesday.
The vessel was delivering the fuel when the incident occurred, according to the islands’ acting prime minister Chester Cooper.
“I am … advised that all of the agencies of government are deployed to mitigate the matter,” said Cooper.
The politician also represents the district of Exuma in parliament.
He said the diesel was destined for energy company Bahamas Power and Light.
“We are happy that it is contained or appears to be contained,” he said.
Photos showed the fuel roped in by a boom in the curve of a white-sand beach near Old Navy Base in Georgetown.
The resort is famed for its beaches, where tourists can swim with pigs.
Crew takes action
Bahamas-based fuel company Sun Oil said in a statement that crew members on board the cargo ship discovered the leak in the early hours during discharging operations.
They later used absorbent pads and containment buoys to tackle the pollution, Sun Oil added.
“Fuel recovery procedures remain ongoing, led by owners of the Arabian,” the company said.
Sun Oil’s top managers had travelled to Great Exuma to aid the emergency response.
The Arabian appears to be a cargo vessel with the Maritime Mobile Service Identity, or MMSI, number 367561270. Its ownership is unclear.
AIS data showed the ship underway off Georgetown on 19 July.
