The Gibraltar Port Authority has confirmed a leak of heavy fuel oil a small amount of which has escaped the perimeter of the boom.  

A statement from the Government follows below:

The salvage team onboard have identified the source of this leak to two tank vents from the vessel’s  bunker tanks. All vents had previously been sealed, but the seal of two vents became loose on the  crumpling of the vessel. 

Divers on scene have been able to re-establish the seals, so the GPA is in the process of stopping  the release of oil from the vents.  

The Gibraltar Port Authority J formation and the Salvamento Maritimo Luz de Mar are both  downstream from the vessel collecting the free floating oil that has already vented. 

Skimmers are currently being deployed onboard to start collecting what is inside the boom.  Both the GPA and the Luz de Mar will also deploy sorbent booms. 

The slops barge will be brought alongside the OS 35 shortly to begin to pump out its fuel.