The office received a tip-off at about 11am reporting black water on surface of the canal near the Sikit boatyard. The concern raised was that the water had suffered a serious oil spill.
Officers arrived at the boat yard, on Srisuthat Rd, Ratsada, and spoke with the boat yard’s owner, who explained that the incident began at about 10am.
A boat, called ‘Jovana’, was brought to the boatyard for repair and maintenance. The boat was being prepared for painting and other improvements, the owner told officers, said an official report of the incident.
While bringing the Jovana into the boat yard, complications arose due to the high tide, which necessitated the boat operator to rev the engine to prevent the vessel from slipping and potentially damaging other nearby moored boats, the owner explained.
The maneuver resulted in a significant amount of soot dispersing into the water, creating the observed black stains, he said.
Eventually, the attempt to bring the Jovana into the boatyard was unsuccessful, he noted.
Officers said they would summon the boat owner and operator for further questioning. In the meantime, the officers issued an order to cease use of the boat until the necessary repairs have been made to avoid another similar incident.
The Phuket Marine Office said it will continue to monitor the situation and that further measures would be taken to mitigate any environmental impact caused by the incident.