ID :
50651
Mon, 03/16/2009 - 08:07
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/50651
The shortlink copeid
Oil spill bill soars, clean-up drags on
Maritime authorities have served legal papers on the captain of the cargo ship that caused the biggest environmental disaster on Queensland's coast.
A spokesman from Maritime Safety Queensland said on Sunday maritime authorities,
accompanied by police, handed the captain of the Pacific Adventurer legal papers
ordering him to remain on the ship as investigations continue.
The shipping company is facing a multi-million dollar clean-up bill in addition to
possible fines of up to $2 million.
Hundreds continue a major clean-up of the worst environmental disaster to hit
Queensland's shores after the Pacific Adventurer leaked 250,000 litres of oil into
the ocean off Moreton Island.
All major destination beaches on the Sunshine Coast, including Noosa which is
hosting a surf carnival, have reopened as more than 50 per cent of affected beaches
are cleared of oil.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said the clean-up of Moreton Island was far from over but
he expected a clean bill of health for Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island beaches in a
matter of days.
Mr Lucas said the cost of the clean-up would be massive.
"It will run into many millions of dollars," Mr Lucas said.
"It's a federal investigation because the accident happened in Australian waters not
in Queensland waters.
"Federal maritime authorities are leading the investigation."
The Swire Shipping company also faces possible fines of up to $2 million and an
environmental damage bill of $250 million while the ship's captain could be lumped
with a $200,000 fine.
Maritime Safety officers are continuing their investigations into the seaworthiness
of the ship.
Up to 17 seabirds off Moreton Island, mainly pelicans, have been reported to be
covered in toxic, carcinogenic oil.
A turtle is being treated at Sea World but there have been no reports of fish dying,
Mr Lucas said.
"The battle is far from over but the tide has very much turned in our direction," Mr
Lucas said.
"Moreton Island is a far more difficult task logistically than Bribie and the
Sunshine Coast because on the Sunshine Coast you have beaches next to major
infrastructure."
Premier Anna Bligh has defended the time it took to start the clean-up.
"I can understand people think it's a good idea to get out there from day one and
start cleaning up," Ms Bligh told ABC TV on Sunday.
"But the reality is we still have oil coming onto the beach. You don't take it off
the beach until you know it's all there otherwise we are stripping layers of sand
that have already been eroded by cyclonic activities."
Booms remain around the Pacific Adventurer at Hamilton after a second oil leak while
the cargo ship was docked at Hamilton wharf last week.
Tourism Queensland met with a number of interest groups, including Sunshine Coast
Tourism and Brisbane Marketing, on Sunday to discuss a recovery plan for the
industry once the clean-up is finished.
A plan was being put together, a spokesman said.
A spokesman from Maritime Safety Queensland said on Sunday maritime authorities,
accompanied by police, handed the captain of the Pacific Adventurer legal papers
ordering him to remain on the ship as investigations continue.
The shipping company is facing a multi-million dollar clean-up bill in addition to
possible fines of up to $2 million.
Hundreds continue a major clean-up of the worst environmental disaster to hit
Queensland's shores after the Pacific Adventurer leaked 250,000 litres of oil into
the ocean off Moreton Island.
All major destination beaches on the Sunshine Coast, including Noosa which is
hosting a surf carnival, have reopened as more than 50 per cent of affected beaches
are cleared of oil.
Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said the clean-up of Moreton Island was far from over but
he expected a clean bill of health for Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island beaches in a
matter of days.
Mr Lucas said the cost of the clean-up would be massive.
"It will run into many millions of dollars," Mr Lucas said.
"It's a federal investigation because the accident happened in Australian waters not
in Queensland waters.
"Federal maritime authorities are leading the investigation."
The Swire Shipping company also faces possible fines of up to $2 million and an
environmental damage bill of $250 million while the ship's captain could be lumped
with a $200,000 fine.
Maritime Safety officers are continuing their investigations into the seaworthiness
of the ship.
Up to 17 seabirds off Moreton Island, mainly pelicans, have been reported to be
covered in toxic, carcinogenic oil.
A turtle is being treated at Sea World but there have been no reports of fish dying,
Mr Lucas said.
"The battle is far from over but the tide has very much turned in our direction," Mr
Lucas said.
"Moreton Island is a far more difficult task logistically than Bribie and the
Sunshine Coast because on the Sunshine Coast you have beaches next to major
infrastructure."
Premier Anna Bligh has defended the time it took to start the clean-up.
"I can understand people think it's a good idea to get out there from day one and
start cleaning up," Ms Bligh told ABC TV on Sunday.
"But the reality is we still have oil coming onto the beach. You don't take it off
the beach until you know it's all there otherwise we are stripping layers of sand
that have already been eroded by cyclonic activities."
Booms remain around the Pacific Adventurer at Hamilton after a second oil leak while
the cargo ship was docked at Hamilton wharf last week.
Tourism Queensland met with a number of interest groups, including Sunshine Coast
Tourism and Brisbane Marketing, on Sunday to discuss a recovery plan for the
industry once the clean-up is finished.
A plan was being put together, a spokesman said.
