Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANTODOMINGO2477
2007-10-31 19:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santo Domingo
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHDG #2477 3041946 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 311946Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9533 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 002477
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EAID EPET SENV
SUBJECT: BEACHED LPG TANKER UPDATE
REF: SANTO DOMINGO 2466
Summary: The liquid propane gas (LPG) tanker that ran aground
on October 29 remains in stable condition. There has been no
additional damage to the ship's hull and the fuel remains in
stable liquid form. The ship's generators are operating
normally and back-up generators are on stand-by in case of
emergency to maintain the fuel cooling systems and prevent
its conversion to gas. A salvage plan has been organized and
will likely be implemented tomorrow afternoon (Nov. 1). End
Summary.
With a calming of sea swells and the introduction of
assistance from a local tugboat to provide stability, there
appears to have been no additional damage to the LPG tanker
that has been beached off the coast of San Pedro de Macoris
(SPM) since early Monday morning. A structural assessment of
the ship, conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and a U.S.
salvage company, has found it to be in solid enough shape to
attempt a salvage operation as early as tomorrow afternoon,
November 1st. Since the damage has so far be isolated to
three ballast tanks, the current plan, according to the
ship's insurance agent, is to pump water out of the port side
ballast tanks and then use as many as four tugboats to pull
the ship back out to sea. The calculations for this manuever
are still being finalized, but "confidence is high",
according to the insurer.
The primary concern remains the ability of the ship to
maintain its cargo in liquid form. As described in reftel,
the fuel can only remain in liquid form without refrigeration
for up to two days, after which it would be necessary to
perform a controlled release of the gas or risk an explosion.
At this time, the ships primary generators appear to be
working properly. In addition, the ship's back-up generator
is standing-by to provide up to 18 hours of additional power
and an additional large scale back-up generator is en route
to the site in case of emergency and should arrive by
tomorrow morning.
A press conference was held with the local polutation
yesterday evening at 1700 hours led by the regional governor
and included representatives from the shipping company, the
environment ministry, the U.S. Coast Guard and Dominican
military and police. A warden message was issued by the
Consular Section yesterday evening encouraging American
citizens residing in or traveling through SPM to monitor the
situation through local media. With the situation stable, no
additional warden messages are planned at this time.
BULLEN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EAID EPET SENV
SUBJECT: BEACHED LPG TANKER UPDATE
REF: SANTO DOMINGO 2466
Summary: The liquid propane gas (LPG) tanker that ran aground
on October 29 remains in stable condition. There has been no
additional damage to the ship's hull and the fuel remains in
stable liquid form. The ship's generators are operating
normally and back-up generators are on stand-by in case of
emergency to maintain the fuel cooling systems and prevent
its conversion to gas. A salvage plan has been organized and
will likely be implemented tomorrow afternoon (Nov. 1). End
Summary.
With a calming of sea swells and the introduction of
assistance from a local tugboat to provide stability, there
appears to have been no additional damage to the LPG tanker
that has been beached off the coast of San Pedro de Macoris
(SPM) since early Monday morning. A structural assessment of
the ship, conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and a U.S.
salvage company, has found it to be in solid enough shape to
attempt a salvage operation as early as tomorrow afternoon,
November 1st. Since the damage has so far be isolated to
three ballast tanks, the current plan, according to the
ship's insurance agent, is to pump water out of the port side
ballast tanks and then use as many as four tugboats to pull
the ship back out to sea. The calculations for this manuever
are still being finalized, but "confidence is high",
according to the insurer.
The primary concern remains the ability of the ship to
maintain its cargo in liquid form. As described in reftel,
the fuel can only remain in liquid form without refrigeration
for up to two days, after which it would be necessary to
perform a controlled release of the gas or risk an explosion.
At this time, the ships primary generators appear to be
working properly. In addition, the ship's back-up generator
is standing-by to provide up to 18 hours of additional power
and an additional large scale back-up generator is en route
to the site in case of emergency and should arrive by
tomorrow morning.
A press conference was held with the local polutation
yesterday evening at 1700 hours led by the regional governor
and included representatives from the shipping company, the
environment ministry, the U.S. Coast Guard and Dominican
military and police. A warden message was issued by the
Consular Section yesterday evening encouraging American
citizens residing in or traveling through SPM to monitor the
situation through local media. With the situation stable, no
additional warden messages are planned at this time.
BULLEN