Agalega’s Sona III Shipwreck, Authorities on High Alert

Authorities are on high alert following the shipwreck of the Sona III, a vessel registered in Tuvalu, which sank on Thursday, December 12, approximately 40 meters from the northern coast of Agalega due to Cyclone Chido. The ship was carrying a significant cargo, including 6,282 liters of diesel, 90 liters of lubricating oil, and 66 liters of hydraulic oil.

In a statement released on the evening of Tuesday, December 17, Joanna Bérenger, the Minister Delegate for the Environment, reported that no oil leak has been detected thus far.

This announcement followed a meeting of the National Oil Spill Coordination Committee held the same day, where officials discussed the ongoing response to the incident.

To address the situation, five members of the National Coast Guard’s marine pollution response team arrived in Agalega on Tuesday morning, December 16.

They are tasked with providing updates to authorities every two hours regarding the status of the wreck and any potential environmental impacts.

In preparation for the possibility of an oil spill, the government is planning to send an additional 200 meters of absorbent booms on the MV Trochetia, which is scheduled to depart from Mauritius on December 20.

Minister Bérenger explained that these measures are precautionary, ensuring that they are ready should any leaks occur.

The owner of the Sona III has designated Brand Marine Services as consultants to oversee the situation, while a specialized company will manage the process of pumping the diesel from the vessel.

Meanwhile, a scientific team is finalizing an Environmental Monitoring Plan to assess and mitigate any potential environmental effects resulting from the shipwreck.

Bérenger reassured the public that the government remains engaged and that all relevant ministries are actively monitoring the developments.

“The government is committed to staying mobilized and vigilant as the situation unfolds,” she stated.

Source: Defi Media