Fauna, Scuba News, Underwater Environment

Caribbean at risk of environmental disaster

The Southern Caribbean is seriously threatened by the spectre of an impending environmental disaster, the size of which could surpass the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989 by a factor of five and cause colossal damage. The Nabarima is a 264-metre long Venezuelan tanker that is partially operated by Italian energy giant ENI

ByMarcin Pawełczyk

Published: October 25, 2020 - 09:00

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 21:23

Caribbean at risk of environmental disaster

The Southern Caribbean is seriously threatened by the spectre of an impending environmental disaster, the size of which could surpass the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska in 1989 by a factor of five and cause colossal damage.

The Nabarima is a 264-metre long Venezuelan tanker that is partially operated by Italian energy giant ENI and carries 1.3 million barrels of oil. The vessel was abandoned by its crew following US sanctions in late 2019 and has been sinking for several months.

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Caribbean oil spill from an oil tanker — Sinking tanker Nabarima photo by Trinidad and Tobago Fishermen and Friends of the Sea

Gary Aboud, secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago-based environmental group Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, got close enough to the tanker – which is currently moored in Venezuelan territorial waters – to capture video footage with a drone.

tanker Nabarima Venezuela — If the tanker sinks, huge amounts of oil will enter the ocean photo Trinidad and Tobago Fishermen and Friends of the Sea

The video shows how serious the situation is, especially as the hurricane season will certainly not end before 30 November and the worst is yet to come. At the beginning of September, Nabarima had a tilt of up to five degrees, but the video shows that it has now reached around 25 degrees, a huge increase recorded in just six weeks.

If the tanker sinks and the cargo inside enters the ocean, given the currents and wind direction, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, some of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, will be affected in addition to Trinidad and Tobago.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago Fishermen and Friends of the Sea

About author

Marcin Pawełczyk

Marcin’s journey with diving has been an adventure. Starting as a recreational diver, he soon found himself drawn to the fascinating stories and mysteries of Baltic wrecks. After gaining experience, Marcin decided to go beyond just leisurely exploration and took his training up a notch by completing the TMX course, allowing him to explore even deeper and uncover the secrets of inaccessible places. His next challenge has been cave diving, where he is honing his skills to become a certified diver. Not content to simply take in the breathtaking beauty of underwater life, Marcin has also embraced underwater photography since 2018, capturing stunning shots that bring these worlds alive for those who are unable to experience them first-hand. Marcin’s passion for the underwater has taken him far and is sure to continue doing so as he dives into new depths and captures breathtaking images.