Swells thwart bid to stem oil spill from ship
Source: Agencies |
October 11, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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FORECASTS of heavy ocean swells yesterday thwarted marine crews trying to extract oil from a leaking ship stuck on a reef off New Zealand's coast.
The Liberia-flagged Rena has been foundering since it ran aground on Wednesday on the Astrolabe Reef, about 22 kilometers from Tauranga Harbour, and the government has demanded to know why the ship crashed into the well-charted reef in calm weather.
The ship owner says it is cooperating with authorities. The 240-meter ship has been leaking fuel, leading to fears it could cause an environmental disaster if it breaks up.
Marine crews began an operation on Sunday to extract up to 1,700 tons of heavy fuel oil - the equivalent of about 10,700 barrels. But they had to halt the pumping yesterday after removing just 10 tons.
Clumps of the oil were found at Mount Maunganui beach, a favorite spot for surfers, according to Maritime New Zealand, the agency responsible for shipping in the region. The beach is on New Zealand's North Island, about 160km southeast of Auckland.
The agency believes the ship has another 200 tons of diesel on board. So far, an estimated 30 tons have leaked into the Bay of Plenty.
Because it is a cargo ship rather than an oil tanker, any spill would be small. But because it is close to shore, the oil could still foul delicate estuaries in an area known for its pristine environment.
Maritime New Zealand said a barge had begun pumping fuel from the stricken ship, but that work was called off to keep crews safe from heavy swells and forecast gale-force winds. The operation is expected to last at least two more days.
Salvage experts and naval architects are on board to monitor the ship, and sensors should indicate if the ship is in danger of breaking apart, the agency said.
"The top priority is first to remove the oil, then lighten the vessel by removing the containers, and, finally, move the ship off the reef," it said.
About 200 people are involved in the operation, and New Zealand's defense force has about 300 people standing by in case beach clean-ups are needed.
Oil slick
Wildlife is at threat from an oil slick that extends about5km from the boat.
On Sunday, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key visited the area and demanded answers. He said: "This is a ship that has plowed into a well-documented reef in calm waters in the middle of the night at 17 knots. So somebody needs to tell us why that has happened."
Ship owner Greece-based Costamare said it was "cooperating fully with local authorities" and making every effort to "control and minimize the environmental consequences."
The Rena was built in 1990 and was carrying 1,351 containers when it ran aground, the owners said.
Authorities are also concerned about containers of toxic ferrosilicon.
The Liberia-flagged Rena has been foundering since it ran aground on Wednesday on the Astrolabe Reef, about 22 kilometers from Tauranga Harbour, and the government has demanded to know why the ship crashed into the well-charted reef in calm weather.
The ship owner says it is cooperating with authorities. The 240-meter ship has been leaking fuel, leading to fears it could cause an environmental disaster if it breaks up.
Marine crews began an operation on Sunday to extract up to 1,700 tons of heavy fuel oil - the equivalent of about 10,700 barrels. But they had to halt the pumping yesterday after removing just 10 tons.
Clumps of the oil were found at Mount Maunganui beach, a favorite spot for surfers, according to Maritime New Zealand, the agency responsible for shipping in the region. The beach is on New Zealand's North Island, about 160km southeast of Auckland.
The agency believes the ship has another 200 tons of diesel on board. So far, an estimated 30 tons have leaked into the Bay of Plenty.
Because it is a cargo ship rather than an oil tanker, any spill would be small. But because it is close to shore, the oil could still foul delicate estuaries in an area known for its pristine environment.
Maritime New Zealand said a barge had begun pumping fuel from the stricken ship, but that work was called off to keep crews safe from heavy swells and forecast gale-force winds. The operation is expected to last at least two more days.
Salvage experts and naval architects are on board to monitor the ship, and sensors should indicate if the ship is in danger of breaking apart, the agency said.
"The top priority is first to remove the oil, then lighten the vessel by removing the containers, and, finally, move the ship off the reef," it said.
About 200 people are involved in the operation, and New Zealand's defense force has about 300 people standing by in case beach clean-ups are needed.
Oil slick
Wildlife is at threat from an oil slick that extends about5km from the boat.
On Sunday, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key visited the area and demanded answers. He said: "This is a ship that has plowed into a well-documented reef in calm waters in the middle of the night at 17 knots. So somebody needs to tell us why that has happened."
Ship owner Greece-based Costamare said it was "cooperating fully with local authorities" and making every effort to "control and minimize the environmental consequences."
The Rena was built in 1990 and was carrying 1,351 containers when it ran aground, the owners said.
Authorities are also concerned about containers of toxic ferrosilicon.
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