The oil spill reported in the vicinity of Pinder’s Point, Grand Bahama has diminished and is no longer visible.

A fly over was carried out over the area yesterday by members of the National Oil Spill Advisory Committee and they found that there was no more contamination within that area.

Since Friday when the spill was reported, the Bahamas Oil Refining Company International Limited (BORCO), the Port Department and the Department of Environmental Health Services have carried out an assessment to investigate the extent of the spill and cleanup operations to eradicate the spill.

While the cleanup process was completed yesterday around 5pm and an emergency response team including divers is on stand-by to respond as soon as the weather permits.

According to a press release from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the source of the spill was believed to be a pipeline that pumped Bunker C Heavy Fuel Oil and contained oily residue due to the decommissioning of several pipelines.

BORCO officials reported that some three weeks ago the petroleum company commenced repairs at a section of the jetty and they closed down seven pipelines and blew-out the lines with water.

In addition, the procedure removed about 95 per cent of the oil from the lines, leaving some oily residue in the pipelines, which the company claims will be carefully monitored.

The National Oil Spill Advisory Committee is on stand-by reviewing all actions taken in response to this incident and a full investigation has been launched by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.
Grand Bahama saw an oil spill just early December of last year, which ministry officials reported had a minimal impact.