Oil Spill Reaches New Zealand Shores
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October 10, 2011 TheFreshOutlook  |
Oil has now reached the shores of New Zealand as teams attempt to control the situation and rescue effected wildlife.
Oil washed up on the eastern shores of New Zealand on Monday after a 775-foot (236m) container ship struck a reef last week. Teams are now attempting to secure the ship and prevent further oil spillage.
Officials from the North island confirmed that clumps of oil had washed ashore on Mount Maunganui beach today. 300 military personnel now stand by for a mass clean-up operation throughout the country.
The effected beaches have now been closed and officials are urging people to stay away from the contaminated water.
Rena struck Astrolabe Reef last Wednesday and is now stranded 12 nautical miles off the east coast. It has since leaked around 30 tonnes of oil into the ocean has left a five km (three mile) slick.
It is now feared that an extra 1,700 tonnes will spill within the next few days.
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) has forecasted bad weather towards the end of the week and officials warn that the ship could break.
In a recent statement the MNZ said: “The weather is expected to deteriorate in the coming days, so we are working around the clock to remove the oil. The top priority is to first remove the oil, then lighten the vessel by removing the containers, and finally, move the ship off the reef.”
On Sunday, 10 tonnes of oil were pumped to safety as teams of 200 have been working in and around the ship to contain the situation.
Elsewhere, the department of conservation have organised two wildlife centres for animals affected by the oil leak. Several seabirds and blue penguins have been recovered and treated already.
The explanation for the grounding is still unconfirmed, however the ship’s owners, Costamare Inc, have said they were “co-operating fully with local authorities” to keep the situation under control.
By Catherine Rees
[Image courtesy of marinephotobank]
