Phuket canal blackened by boat engine soot, not oil spill

Black water in Klong Tha Jeen, located on the east side of Phuket Town, was traced back to soot from a boat engine, according to the Phuket Marine Office. The incident occurred yesterday when soot from the engine of a boat named Jovana caused black water to appear on the canal’s surface.

A tip-off was received around 11am, yesterday, July 23, reporting the presence of black water near the Sikit boatyard. Initial concerns suggested a serious oil spill had contaminated the water.

Upon arrival at the boatyard on Srisuthat Road in Ratsada, officers spoke with the boatyard’s owner. The owner explained that the issue began around 10am when the Jovana was brought in for repair and maintenance. The boat was undergoing preparations for painting and other improvements said the owner.

“While bringing the Jovana into the boatyard, complications arose due to the high tide.”

This situation forced the boat operator to rev the engine to prevent the vessel from slipping and potentially damaging other nearby moored boats.

The manoeuvre led to a significant amount of soot dispersing into the water, resulting in the observed black stains. Despite the efforts, the attempt to bring the Jovana into the boatyard was ultimately unsuccessful, reported The Phuket News.

Officers reported plans to summon the boat owner and operator for further questioning. In the meantime, they issued an order to cease the use of the boat until necessary repairs are completed to prevent a recurrence of the incident.

In related news, the Thai police investigated the appearance of black water at a beach in Rayong, finding a foul odour but no dead marine life. It is suspected that wastewater flowed into the sea following heavy rain over the past week.

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, along with the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center and the Rayong Marine and Coastal Resources Office, conducted an environmental quality inspection at the site.