New charges as storm threatens stranded N.Z. ship

November 02, 2011 | 15:56

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Officers from a ship stuck on a New Zealand reef faced fresh charges Wednesday amid ongoing fears the vessel could break up, leaking more oil and worsening the environmental disaster.

The container ship Rena, which ran aground off the North Island resort area of Tauranga a month ago, is being buffeted by a storm, adding further stress to its already seriously damaged hull.

New fractures were found on the vessel on Tuesday and Maritime New Zealand's head of salvage Bruce Anderson said they were "preparing for the worst".

He confirmed Wednesday the Rena remained intact and no more containers had been washed overboard but the forecast was for further bad weather over the next two days.

On-scene commander Mick Courtnell said his staff were on "heightened alert" throughout the storm and ready to respond to any further significant release of oil.

When the Rena ran aground on October 5, about 350 tonnes of oil spilled into the sea and was washed on to once-pristine beaches, killing at least 1,300 birds.

More than 1,000 tonnes of oil have since been pumped off the ship but another 300 tonnes remain on board.

Nearly 90 containers were washed overboard, 50 of which were unaccounted for, and 1,300 containers were still on board.

The Filipino captain and second officer from the Rena were charged Wednesday with the discharge of harmful substances, which carries a maximum penalty of a fine of NZ$300,000 ($240,000) or two years in jail.

The pair have already been charged with operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk.

New Zealand's Environment Minister Nick Smith has claimed the Rena ploughed into the Astrolabe Reef while taking a short cut to reach port.

AFP

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