CAY BAY--Friday's oil spill in Cay Bay, the second largest in over a month, has left the environmental community fuming because nothing much is being done by utilities company GEBE to prevent continued pollution of the bay.
Environmental activist of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and St. Maarten Pride Foundation Rueben Thompson is again outraged with yet another spill. "This is the second largest one in more than a month but it is one of many for this year."
GEBE needs to get its act together, Thompson said, echoing the call by St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies CEO/Harbour Master Mark Mingo Friday. Mingo was furious at GEBE for not taking preventative measures at the Cay Bay power plant where the spill apparently originated.
Mingo will formally address GEBE's management about changes that are needed to prevent future spills and to create a quick response for emergencies.
GEBE has not yet taken responsibility for the spill, as it did for one in February, which was said to be caused by an overflowing waste oil collection pit.
Thompson said that the February spill proved that GEBE was ill-equipped to handle an oil spill. He called on the company to sit with all stakeholders, including the environmental community to form a quick response team that can help to prevent oil spills into the ocean or on land.
The spill affected Seaside Nature Park a short distance from the power plant and several families who were enjoying a day at the beach and who had hoped for a swim in the ocean. Some families avoided the water but others persisted by swimming in the oily water.
Thompson urged swimmers to come out of the water but they insisted that they would wash the oil off after. He added that better awareness of the health effects for people, on land and marine life is also needed as soon as possible.
Samples of the water and oil residue were collected by the Coast Guard on Friday for testing. Photographs of the spillage taken by nature park staffers earlier Friday morning were also given to the Coast Guard for its report.
