Tobago, March 18, 2007 (NEMA) - At approximately 10:45 am on Sunday March 18 2007, NEMA Tobago received an unconfirmed report of an oil spill on the beach in the Belle Garden area on the island’s east coast.

Owen Sandy; Co-ordinator, NEMA Tobago and Raye Sandy; Director, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (DNRE) of the Tobago House of Assembly conducted reconnaissance and confirmed the presence of weathered petroleum based substance along Carapause Bay; this bay stretches from Kendal to Roxborough. The substance on the beach was observed from Kendal to Roxborough in the area of the Sports Complex.

After the relevant authorities were contacted and advised of the situation, a team of trained oil spill responders, comprising CERT Technicians and staff of the DNRE was mobilized and deployed to the beach. But whether by good fortune or bad, upon arrival the team found that wave action from the high tides had completely removed all signs of the spill thus eradicating the need for human intervention.

While the source of the spill remains undetermined, NEMA Tobago was happy with its own response and extended its gratitude to all members of the team. The team also received thanks and commendation from the Chief Administrator of the Tobago House of Assembly and the Chief Secretary (who actually stopped by the site) for their dedication to duty and professionalism.

Source: http://www.nematobago.com/news_room.htm