Oil spill cleanup in final stretch

Cleanup operations following Barbados’ first crude oil spill have entered an advanced stage with officials confirming that conditions could return to normal by 3 p.m., once final safety checks are completed. 

The majority of the oil has already been recovered and none of it entered the sea, but the cause of the leak remains under investigation. 

Emergency crews have been working around the clock since the early hours of Friday morning, when crude oil was discovered leaking near the Barbados National Energy Company Ltd. (BNECL) facility in Oistins.

BNECL’s Group Health and Safety Manager Damien Catlyn.

“We were exporting crude oil to a tanker in the Oistins Bay,” said BNECL’s Group Health and Safety Manager Damien Catlyn.

“Around 1:30 a.m., we received reports that oil was observed overflowing in the Bay Garden parking lot. We immediately mobilised personnel from the terminal and the Woodbourne oil field, and with significant help from the public isolated the pumps, tanks, and marine outfall.”

Catlyn said most of the oil was contained within the parking lot and drainage system. 

“We’ve removed the vast majority of the surface oil. That contaminated material has been taken to Woodbourne for further processing. We’re now in an advanced stage of cleanup.”

Pressed about the cause of the spill, Catlyn said investigations are still in the early stages, stating, “We are concentrating on recovery and cleanup at the moment. Once that is complete, we will report our findings to the government.”

While officials did not give a figure for how much oil was spilled or collected, Catlyn said a “significant amount” had been recovered.

The Barbados Fire Service, Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Coast Guard, Police, Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Ministry of Health, and several private contractors remain active at the site.

Fire officials say their priority was to eliminate the risk of combustion. 

“We received the call around 1:39 a.m.,” said Divisional Officer Patrick Edwards. “We deployed a full team, including the Chief Fire Officer, and we’ve now scaled back our presence. Our focus was to ensure the product could not ignite, and we’re satisfied that risk has been eliminated.”

Senior Superintendent Paul Lynch, head of the Southern Division, said the police have cordoned off the area and closed several nearby businesses. 

“We’ve done air quality testing, and so far the results have been acceptable. We expect another test around 2 p.m. and are hoping to have things return to normal around 3 p.m.”

The public health clinic, post office, and other public services in the area were also closed as a precaution. DEM Deputy Director Captain Robert Harewood said contingency plans were activated to coordinate inter-agency response and monitor any health impacts.

“The Queen Elizabeth Hospital was placed on alert in case of respiratory complaints. We’re also watching the weather, as rain could complicate cleanup efforts.”

Harewood also confirmed that the Barbados Coast Guard was leading the marine protection efforts.

He said, “We’re fortunate that the oil did not enter the sea, but we’re taking no chances. The Coast Guard has been key in safeguarding the coastline.”

Officials are expected to provide additional details at a press briefing scheduled for 3 p.m.