SIGN UP FOR OUR By Wendy Anders
Shipwreck last week off Brasilito beach in Guanacaste. Instituto de Oceanología, Playa Potrero.
Last week’s capsize of the shrimping boat called the “Azoriano” right off the coast of the northern town of Brasilito, Guanacaste has been cleaned up, reported Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) officials this week.
While the wreck had initially generated fears of fuel spillage, Nelson Soto, from the navigation and safety department of the MOPT’s port and maritime division, said no leaks were detected after the engine was removed from the recovered debris, nor was there any sign of leaked fuel in the water or surrounding area.
Soto said he ensured virtually all the parts of the sunken ship were removed by sending a diver to investigate the scene.
Authorities await the results of water tests sent to the National University laboratory to fully confirm that the wreck caused no environmental damages.
The operation was carried out by the National Coast Guard Service, the Filadelfia, Santa Cruz Fire Department, with the support of the Municipality of Santa Cruz, and the Costa Rican Oil Refinery, which provided special hydrocarbon retention equipment, as well as local fishermen, the Westin Conchal Hotel, and a host of local and foreign volunteers from the area.
The costs of leasing the equipment for extracting the remains of the vessel (a loader and a bulldozer) were assumed by the owner of the vessel.
The ship, which had all its permits in order, sunk after hitting a reef off the Brasilito coast, which caused the water to enter the hull; the boat ended up stranded near the shore. None of the crew members were injured as they were able to swim safely to shore.
As a result of the incident, the MOPT has drafted a much-needed set of emergency procedures to be followed in the case of hydrocarbon spills or leaks at sea, said emergency officials.
