Ship teeters on reef as salvagers moot action
Source: Agencies |
October 14, 2011, Friday
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A CARGO ship that has already spilled hundreds of tons of oil remained perched on a New Zealand reef yesterday while salvage crews were undecided on whether the remaining fuel could be pumped out before the vessel breaks up.
Environmentalists have warned of a disaster for wildlife if all the ship's 1,700 tons of oil and 200 tons of diesel is allowed to spill into the ocean.
Rescue crews have to stabilize the ship as it is battered by pounding waves before any transfer of oil can start, but severe structural damage is making the task harder.
Several of the 88 containers that have fallen off its deck had washed ashore by yesterday. Authorities confirmed one container that toppled overboard contained a hazardous substance but an official said it should not pose a major threat.
Heavy seas have kept salvage crews away from the 236-meter vessel for days, but a break in the weather allowed three team members to be winched aboard the Liberian-flagged Rena, which ran aground on Astrolabe Reef, 22 kilometers from Tauranga Harbour on New Zealand's North Island just over a week ago.
Ewart Barnsley, spokesman for Maritime New Zealand, said a barge was moored nearby to receive oil from the vessel, but a decision on when the transfer might start would not be made before today.
A vertical crack runs around the entire vessel, meaning the ship is now held together only by its internal components, according to Steve Jones, another spokesman for Maritime New Zealand. He added: "The vessel could break up at any point."
Six vessels have been mobilized to intercept drifting containers and other debris in the water.
There were 1,368 containers on board, 11 containing hazardous substances.
Agency spokesman Nick Bohm said the one that fell contained alkyl sulfonic acid, which can be harmful in its original state but becomes less toxic when diluted with water. Its whereabouts are unknown.
Some of the contents of containers that washed ashore were strewn across the coastline yesterday, including thousands of meat patties.
The ship's 44-year-old Filipino captain was charged on Wednesday with operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk and was released on bail.
The ship's second officer was similarly charged yesterday.
If convicted, each could face a fine of up to 10,000 New Zealand dollars (US$7,800) and 12 months in prison. Their next court appearance is on Wednesday, when authorities say more charges are likely.
The government has demanded to know why the ship crashed into a well-charted reef in calm weather, but the vessel's owner, Greece-based Costamare, has given no explanation.
Oil has washed up on beaches near Tauranga. Maritime New Zealand said hundreds of oiled birds have been found dead. Several kilometers of coastline have been closed to the public.
Environmentalists have warned of a disaster for wildlife if all the ship's 1,700 tons of oil and 200 tons of diesel is allowed to spill into the ocean.
Rescue crews have to stabilize the ship as it is battered by pounding waves before any transfer of oil can start, but severe structural damage is making the task harder.
Several of the 88 containers that have fallen off its deck had washed ashore by yesterday. Authorities confirmed one container that toppled overboard contained a hazardous substance but an official said it should not pose a major threat.
Heavy seas have kept salvage crews away from the 236-meter vessel for days, but a break in the weather allowed three team members to be winched aboard the Liberian-flagged Rena, which ran aground on Astrolabe Reef, 22 kilometers from Tauranga Harbour on New Zealand's North Island just over a week ago.
Ewart Barnsley, spokesman for Maritime New Zealand, said a barge was moored nearby to receive oil from the vessel, but a decision on when the transfer might start would not be made before today.
A vertical crack runs around the entire vessel, meaning the ship is now held together only by its internal components, according to Steve Jones, another spokesman for Maritime New Zealand. He added: "The vessel could break up at any point."
Six vessels have been mobilized to intercept drifting containers and other debris in the water.
There were 1,368 containers on board, 11 containing hazardous substances.
Agency spokesman Nick Bohm said the one that fell contained alkyl sulfonic acid, which can be harmful in its original state but becomes less toxic when diluted with water. Its whereabouts are unknown.
Some of the contents of containers that washed ashore were strewn across the coastline yesterday, including thousands of meat patties.
The ship's 44-year-old Filipino captain was charged on Wednesday with operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk and was released on bail.
The ship's second officer was similarly charged yesterday.
If convicted, each could face a fine of up to 10,000 New Zealand dollars (US$7,800) and 12 months in prison. Their next court appearance is on Wednesday, when authorities say more charges are likely.
The government has demanded to know why the ship crashed into a well-charted reef in calm weather, but the vessel's owner, Greece-based Costamare, has given no explanation.
Oil has washed up on beaches near Tauranga. Maritime New Zealand said hundreds of oiled birds have been found dead. Several kilometers of coastline have been closed to the public.
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