New Zealand authorities battle oil slick from ship aground on reef

New Zealand authorities battle oil slick from ship aground on reef

New Zealand shipping and environment agencies are trying to contain a spreading oil slick from a Liberian-flagged container ship that has grounded on a reef off the east of the North Island.

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) said a team was preparing to help affected wildlife after dead birds were found in the water near 236-meter cargo ship Rena, which was stuck on the Astrolabe Reef, about 12 nautical miles off the coast near Tauranga Harbor.

Four dead birds had been found by patrol vessels near a 5- kilometer oil slick that was coming from the vessel.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said Thursday there was a " significant amount of oil" and a risk the vessel could break up on the reef.

"I think there's quite a significant risk we'll get quite some quantities of oil in the surrounding ocean," Joyce said.

"Then it's a matter of that is able to be dispersed before it reaches the coast."

Oiled wildlife response coordinator Kerri Morgan, of Massey University, said the oiled wildlife response team had mobilized equipment and an oiled wildlife response center would be set up at the Tauranga Wastewater treatment plant and another on Motiti Island.

Morgan said around 20 responders, including veterinarians, were expected to be on the island late Thursday.

A team of expert responders and ornithologists with experience in the capture and treatment of oiled birds would begin a search of nearby coastlines Friday.

"We have specialist equipment and trained responders here ready to mount whatever response is required," said Morgan.

"We are working closely with representatives from the Department of Conservation here in Tauranga who are providing invaluable local knowledge and expertise."

MNZ national on-scene commander Rob Service said the Rena was still leaking oil intermittently and it appeared to be coming from damaged pipework on the vessel.

"We are not aware of any actual breaches in the fuel tanks. However, because of the extensive damage to the vessel, it is difficult to determine accurately what the scale and scope of the damage is. The crew are working to prevent further leakage," said Service.

The quantity of spilled oil was unknown, he said.

The slick was running from the ship in a northerly direction for about 5 kilometres.

Service said field testing of Corexit 9500 oil dispersant was going well.

"We have had one vessel doing on-water dispersant testing today and one helicopter doing aerial testing, with an observation plane guiding the helicopter and monitoring the effectiveness of the dispersant," he said.

"Reports are that it is going well. We will review the results from the trials later today, with a view to launching a full dispersant operation (Friday) morning."

MNZ director Catherine Taylor Thursday issued the vessel owner - - reported to be the Israel-based Ofer Brothers Group, one of the world's largest private shipping firms -- with two notices declaring the ship to be hazardous and instructing those responsible for the ship to ensure that a reputable salvor be appointed promptly and to keep MNZ informed of all salvage operations.

The move gives MNZ the ability to take control if it deems it necessary.

The vessel owner subsequently appointed salvage firm Svitzer to manage the salvage operation.

Service said Svitzer, which already had representatives aboard the vessel, was an internationally recognised and respected company with extensive experience of such operations.

The 47,000-tonne vessel, which ran aground at about 2.20 a.m. Wednesday, was reportedly carrying a cargo of timber, milk powder, meat and fish on a route between Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. Enditem

Editor: Chen Zhi

English.news.cn   2011-10-06 18:43:06 FeedbackPrintRSS
New Zealand authorities battle oil slick from ship aground on reef

WELLINGTON, Oct. 6 (Xinhua)