A cargo ship carrying oil and
diesel ran aground near Tauranga Harbour, New Zealand, Oct. 5, creating the
worst environmental disaster in the country’s history. Bad weather prevented a
barge from pumping the remaining oil off the disabled ship for several days,
making the spill much worse.
The Rena, a Liberian-flagged ship
owned by the Greek company Costamare Inc., crashed into the Astrolabe Reef
despite being in well-charted waters and calm weather. The ship had been cited
recently for safety violations, but the owners claim the Australian authorities
had given it a clean bill of health. The captain was charged with operating a
vessel in a manner causing “unnecessary danger or risk.”
Sticky globs of oil have washed up
on pristine beaches, killing dozens of birds. Veterinarian Brett Gartrell said
it would be impossible to gauge how much wildlife could die in the slick, but expected
only 10 percent of all affected animals would be brought in for emergency
treatment.
