M/V Rena stranded at NZ off Tauranga with 1700 cubic metres of oil onboard
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says that the stranded vessel 22 kilometres off the Tauranga coast has 1700 cubic metres of heavy fuel oil onboard, as well as 70 cubic metres of marine diesel.
The 236-metre ship Rena, heavily laden with cargo, struck the Astrolabe Reef, at around 2.20 this morning. MNZ has activated its response team, which would use oil dispersing chemicals in the case of a spill.
Incident controller Renny van der Velde says plans are being put in place by the oil spill response team to form a safety net in the event of any spilled oil.
"We've activated our national oil response team, they are now in Tauranga.
"They are working in collaboration with the Bay of Plenty regional council, we have approximately 35 people there."
Velde says that while a light sheen of oil has been identified around the vessel, after two flights around the vessel they believe it's hydraulic oil from the engine, which does not pose a significant environmental risk.
But on board, fuel tanks are being transferred from the listing portside to starboard as a precaution.
Wildlife experts from Massey University have also arrived in Tauranga to support the response team, and prepare contingency plans to manage any risk to wildlife.
Despite all the experts on hand locals are still worried. Just four nautical miles south of the ship is Motiti Island, and the reef itself is a haven for divers and fishermen.
"It's like White Island to the Whakatane people, and to the Tauranga people it's very significant," Nepi Ranapia told ONE News.
Velde says they hope the ship can be recovered without incident.
"While the aim is to remove the vessel with no oil spilled, it is important to have contingency plans in place in case something goes wrong."
To read more about the news: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/stranded-ship-has-1700-cubic-metres-oil-onboard-4442968