Did you know there was a fuel spill last November (2019) at one of the tanks at the Jackson Point Terminal, which holds fuel for the retailer Rubis?

I didn’t.

The first I knew about it was from a Press Release issued by the Government Regulator, OfReg last Tuesday (10).

OfReg said that it was investigating the leak at the South Sound depot that is surrounded by residential dwellings.

It has taken them three months to tell us and they have not revealed the size of the leak, where it occurred, whether or not it had impacted the marine environment or what may have happened to cause it!

OfReg was informed of the leak as part of the requirement under the Dangerous Substances Law. However, it was not reported to the public, nor do we know if any residents in the area were informed.

Surely, it is a dereliction of their duty if they have not?

The Release said after discovering the leak, the tank was immediately emptied and the fuel transferred to other tank.

That’s good to know.

OfReg now have direct supervision and control to facilitate an “ongoing comprehensive investigation”.

Does that provide you with comfort?

They are currently executing their investigations that take between SIX to NINE months to complete!!

They will plan a maintenance and repair schedule once the investigation is over to enable the tank to be put back in service.

After that they will provide a final analysis to ensure adherence to safety regulations and formalized accident prevention plans.

I leave you with these words of comfort from Chief Fuel Inspector Duke Munroe, who is overseeing the investigations:

“Rubis’s fuel tanks are critical infrastructure for the sustainability and reliability of fuel storage in the islands. OfReg is committed to conducting thorough investigations of incidents such as these and taking measures, where necessary, that will safeguard the well-being of those in the community as well as our economy.”

I pronounce Chief Fuel Inspector Duke Munroe, a full member of the Institute of Gobbledegook.

Congratulations to him.