MEEI Engages With Oil Spill Recovery Specialists

The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) has engaged an international partner to aid in the ongoing, on-water oil recovery in Tobago. A media release from the MEEI says T&T Salvage LLC and QT Environmental Inc, both subject matter experts and licensed Oil Spill Removal Organisations, are being engaged to conduct surveys, cargo lightering, and wreck removal. The mobilisation of the international team includes a Salvage Master who will be overseeing the hydrographic survey while their commercial dive crew will be used to assess and plug leaks utilising surface supplied air. The MEEI says the salvage team will coordinate with other local and international organisations and stakeholders on the ground in Tobago to install a layered surface oil recovery programme while the international experts will also utilise underwater, non-floating oil detection systems to ensure all oil is identified and to maximise oil recovery. The MEEI has also engaged the services of a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Contractor, Subsea Specialist Ltd, to conduct ROV works around the vessel.