Ship spills 30,000 gallons of oil in The Bahamas

The environmental disaster occurred in waters off Exuma

Some 30,000 gallons of oil have reportedly spilled into the ocean in The Bahamas from a ship delivering fuel, government officials reported on Wednesday.

The environmental disaster occurred in Exuma waters overnight on Tuesday, according to Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

Mr Cooper said that the spill was caused by The Arabian, a vessel contracted for Sun Oil, as it was offloading fuel at the Old Navy Base in George Town, The Nassau Guardian reported.

“We are advised at the moment that the oil is contained in the bay the area of the Exuma Sailing Club,” the acting PM said.

Dallas Knowles, head coach of the Exuma Sailing Club, told The Independent via WhatsApp message that it appeared to be a diesel spill and on a much smaller scale than originally thought.

“It is being assessed and cleaned up as we speak. The exuma sailing [club] is located in the immediate area but will not likely be affected much,” he added.

Officials in The Bahamas were visiting the site of the spill on Wednesday morning and an update would be forthcoming, a government representative told The Independent.

George Town is located on the island of Great Exuma in The Bahamas, where the local economy relies heavily on tourism.