ILOILO CITY- A Japanese survey ship has confirmed the location of the sunken MT Solar I earlier detected by sonar sensors of ships of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria).

The sensors of the MT Shinsei Maru spotted the tanker around 640 meters underwater southwest of Guimaras Island early yesterday morning, Capt. Luis Tuason, Coast Guard commander in Western Visayas said.

Tuason said the grid coordinates provided by Namria helped the survey ship confirm the sunken vessel's location, shortening their time for surveying the area.

The tanker was observed to be in an upright position and slightly leaning on its right side, said Tuason.

He said the upright position is positive news because the ship's controls are located at the top of the ship, and assessment of the damage and leakage would be easier than when the boat is upside down, or on its side.

After confirming the location of the vessel, the ship lowered a remote-operated-vehicle (ROV) to take video footages and determine the damage and condition of the tanker, Cmdr. Harold Jarder, Coast Guard station chief in Iloilo and on-scene commander, said.

The ROV, owned by Fukada Salvage and Marine Works Company, is equipped with powerful underwater cameras, advance sonar system and capable of diving to 2,000 meters underwater.

Data gathered by the ROV will help in the evaluation of the risks involved and determine the courses of action in containing the leakage of bunker fuel. These include the removal of the remaining oil or the re-floating of the tanker.

Tuason said the survey would be finished tomorrow or Saturday, depending on weather conditions.

The surveyors are expected to submit their findings and recommendations two days after they have completed the underwater inspection. Among the options are the re-floating of the ship and the sucking out of the remaining oil inside the tanker.

The survey ship arrived at the Iloilo International Port here last night. The crew met with Coast officials led by Vice Admiral Arthur Gosingan, Coast Guard commandant and discussed the procedures of the survey.

The Coast Guard estimates that around 200,000 to 300,000 liters of bunker fuel have been released out of the 2 million liters that the tanker was carrying when it sank 24 miles southwest of Guimaras Island on August 11.

Guimaras Gov. JC Rahman Nava said they are convincing officials and residents of coastal barangays hit by the spill to evacuate from their homes to avoid health disorders triggered by the oil-spill.

Nava, a physician, said they there was "minimal resistance" from residents who do not want to leave their homes. "We are trying to convince them that it's in their interest to transfer to safer grounds," Nava said in a telephone interview.

Health officials had earlier advised residents of the villages of La Paz and Cabalagnan in Nueva Valencia town to temporarily vacate their homes within a 100-meter radius from the coastline.

Around 400 persons in the two barangays have been evacuated since Tuesday.*NPB

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