Palawan Beach at Sentosa reopens for water activities after oil spill cleanup
It’s now okay to go swimming, paddle boarding and more at two of Sentosa Island’s beaches.
Over 140,000kg of oil-soaked sand has been removed from the shores of Siloso, Palawan, and Tanjong Beach. (Photo: Facebook/Sentosa)
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After months of efforts to clean up the beaches and waters following an oil spill off Sentosa Island, Palawan Beach is now open for water activities again.
“We’re excited to announce that water activities have resumed at Palawan Beach!” Sentosa Development Corporation announced in a Facebook post on the Sentosa page. “Dive back into paddleboarding, wave dipping or sun-soaking adventures.”
The announcement follows the reopening of Siloso Beach on Aug 3.
Sentosa’s third beach, Tanjong Beach, however, is still off-limits to those hoping to splash around in the waves. “Water activities at Tanjong Beach will resume once the water quality returns to normal levels,” the Facebook post continued.
Water activities at beaches on Sentosa, the Southern Islands and East Coast Park were suspended after Netherlands-flagged dredger Vox Maxima hit Singapore-flagged bunker vessel Marine Honour at Pasir Panjang Terminal on Jun 14.
The collision ruptured one of Marine Honour’s oil cargo tanks, releasing about 400 tonnes of low-sulphur fuel into the sea.
Oil washed up along several beaches including at Sentosa island and East Coast Park, as well as the shoreline at Labrador Nature Reserve.
After clean-up efforts, swimming and sea sports have now been allowed to resume at Changi Beach, Kusu Island and Eagle Bay Beach on Lazarus Island, in addition to Siloso Beach. Complimentary boat rides for visitors between Sentosa Cove and Lazarus Island are available on weekends between Aug 17 and Sep 1.
