A TANKER tore down part of a pier at an oil depot on Tsing Yi Island last night, snapping a pipeline and causing diesel to spill into the sea.
The incident occurred shortly before 6.30 pm as the 18,480-tonne Panama-registered tanker Patriot was leaving the pier at China Resources' Nga Ying Chau terminal after discharging a consignment of diesel.
The master of the tanker, apparently unaware of the incident, continued on towards Kap Shui Mun.
The oil depot is only about 175 metres from the residential Cheung On Estate.
Firemen were alerted and the pipeline was turned off. Two fireboats and Marine Police launches were called in to keep vessels away from the pier.
The Marine Department will send a vessel to the scene to dilute the oil slick.
The Patriot was stopped by Marine Police and told to anchor off Yam O for inspection by Marine Department officers.
