Oil spill detected from capsized ferry in Bali, Indonesia

Authorities in Bali, Indonesia, have confirmed the leakage of an undetermined quantity of fuel oil from a passenger vessel that had capsized at the city’s Padangbai Port on Friday, June 12.

In response to the incident, state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina sent one of its tugs to help refloat the Ro-Pax ferry Dharma Rucitra III and to deploy a 25-metre-long boom to contain the spill caused by the capsizing.

Local officials believe the spilled oil includes fuel from the ferry’s own bunkers and petrol and diesel from the fuel tanks of the embarked vehicles.

No details have yet been provided on the estimated completion of the refloating and cleanup operation.

Dharma Rucitra III reportedly made bottom contact while it was manoeuvring to dock at Padangbai Port at approximately 21:30 local time on Friday. The subsequent hull breach then resulted in flooding in the engine room, and the vessel developed a heavy list to starboard which only worsened after the embarked vehicles shifted to one side of the cargo deck.

The ferry then ended up partially submerged just moments before it could properly disembark the passengers and cargo.

All 48 passengers and 17 crew were safely rescued with no injuries being reported.