By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE cargo ship that leaked oil into Saipan waters on Wednesday has been declared “safe and clear” by the U.S. Coast Guard but will undergo repairs on Guam.
Wooden plugs were installed yesterday near the Fujimarine’s rudder tank where a hole was located and identified as the source of the leak.
According to Lt. Greg Schultz, the Coast Guard safety detachment supervisor on Saipan, the ship “was here overnight and we removed all the fuel from the rudder tank so there is no more threat of pollution,”
Schultz said mechanical plugs were installed to make sure that oil would not leak out.
“The fuel tank is empty and we finished the inspection. We’re just waiting for the proposal of the agent and the ship owner… and if it is acceptable to us, we will release the vessel,” he said, adding that the Fujimarine is heading to Guam.
Schultz said the agent of the vessel, A&T Shipping Services, and owner will pay for “mitigating the problem.”
“The (owners) have a financial responsibility for the oil spill and they were very cooperative. They’re paying the bills and everything is going well,” Schultz said.
According to the governor’s assistant public information officer, Cathy Anderson, the federal and CNMI governments’ Unified System Command ceased its operation yesterday at 10 a.m. upon ensuring that the vessel was safe and on its way to Guam.
“They have installed two wooden plugs and ensured that fluid in that area was taken out,” Anderson said. “These temporary plugs have cleared the vessel which will be moved to Guam where more permanent repairs can be undertaken.”
Anderson said the third shoreline inspection and assessment was completed by concerned agencies yesterday.
The Fujimarine was permitted to unload its cargo of cars, and A&T Shipping Services hired South Pacific Environmental for the cleanup.
“They have taken all responsibility for the cleanup,” Anderson said.
She said they commended Pat Ulechong, a captain of another vessel, for immediately reporting the incident to authorities.
An estimated 100 gallons of oil spilled into the waters of Saipan on Wednesday morning.
The Fujimarine, which brought in automobiles for Microl Corp., docked at the port of Saipan at 8 a.m. on Wednesday.