NEA advises public against swimming near several beaches after Shell’s oil leak

SINGAPORE – People should avoid swimming and other primary contact water activities near the beaches of East Coast Park, Kusu Island, St John’s Island and Lazarus Island, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said in an advisory on Oct 21.

This is a precautionary measure after oil started leaking from a land-based pipeline belonging to British petrochemical giant Shell at Pulau Bukom in the pre-dawn hours of Oct 20.

NEA added that it has deployed oil-absorbent booms in the canals and key areas of East Coast Park and West Coast Park.

Meanwhile, the public can continue with water activities at Tanjong Beach, Palawan Beach and Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island, said a Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) spokesperson on Oct 21.

There are no signs or smell of oil at all its beaches, the spokesperson said, but oil-absorbent booms have been deployed around the three beaches as well as Sentosa Golf Club, ONE°15 Marina Club and Sentosa Cove as a precautionary measure.

“We are monitoring the situation closely with relevant agencies and will provide updates on our Facebook page and website in due course,” said the SDC spokesperson.

In a Facebook post, the National Parks Board (NParks) said no oil has been observed at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Labrador Nature Reserve and West Coast Park as at Oct 21 morning.

However, it has deployed oil-absorbent booms to protect the lagoons at Sisters’ Islands Marine Park, Berlayer Creek and the Rocky Shore at Labrador Nature Reserve, and the mangroves at the Marsh Garden at West Coast Park.

The public areas at Labrador Nature Reserve and West Coast Park remain open, NParks added.

National water agency PUB said that as at Oct 21, no oil has been detected near the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant and Jurong Island Desalination Plant, which are closest to the location of the oil leak.

“Seawater quality readings remain normal and the plants’ operations are not affected,” said PUB in a Facebook post, adding that it is closely monitoring the seawater intakes at the desalination plants.