2009 southeast Queensland oil spill

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Southeast Queensland oil spill
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Location Coral Sea, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates

27°24′40″S 153°29′20″E / 27.411°S 153.489°E / -27.411; 153.489Coordinates: 27°24′40″S 153°29′20″E / 27.411°S 153.489°E / -27.411; 153.489{{#coordinates:-27.411|153.489|region:AU-QLD_type:event|||||| |primary |name=

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Date 11 March 2009
Cause
Cause MV Pacific Adventurer spilled oil and cargo during a storm
Operator Swire Shipping
Spill characteristics
Volume 100,000 litres [1]
Shoreline impacted 60 kilometres (37 mi)

The 2009 southeast Queensland oil spill occurred on 11 March 2009 off the coast of southeast Queensland, Australia, in which 230 tonnes of fuel oil, 30 tonnes of other fuel and 31 shipping containers (620 tonnes) of ammonium nitrate spilled into the Coral Sea, north of Moreton Bay during Cyclone Hamish after unsecured cargo on the container ship, MV Pacific Adventurer damaged other cargo, causing the spillage.[1] Over the following days, the spill washed ashore along 60 kilometres (37 mi) of coastline encompassing the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Bribie Island and Moreton Island.

The ship proceeded through Moreton Bay and docked at the Port of Brisbane where it continued to spread a 500 m (1,600 ft) long slick in the mouth of the Brisbane River.[2]

The Queensland government declared a state of emergency. Premier Anna Bligh described the spill as the "worst environmental disaster Queensland has ever seen."[2] It took over 1,425 people 16 months to clean up the affected areas at a total cost of A$4 million, including $2 million of public funds.[3]

Cause and initial responses

The ship MV Pacific Adventurer was sailing from Newcastle to the Port of Brisbane in Moreton Bay. Cyclone Hamish had formed off the coast of Queensland. Subsequently the improperly stowed cargo dislodged from the deck damaging other cargo and containers onboard causing various substances to spill into the ocean. The ship was damaged at and below the waterline and began to leak fuel and lubricant oil. Over the following days the spill washed ashore over a 60 km stretch of coastline. In an interview of the crew of the ships, the crew stated that the captain was to blame for the incident. The captain decided to stay on course, directly through the storm. As the ship encountered large swells, the 20 crew members went below deck, fearing the safety of their lives. At 3:12 a.m., a wave broke the restraints for the cargo and sent 31 containers of ammonium nitrate overboard. The Queensland maritime safety authorities estimated that the ships was at a 25 degree angle at the time the containers were knocked off. When the ship came back down, one of the containers damaged the hull. After rolling to the opposite side, it crashed onto another container, creating a large hole underneath the ship, which was not noticed until the ship docked in Brisbane.[4]

The shipping company, Swire Shipping, initially reported that only 20 tonnes had been spilled. This was later revised to 30 tonnes, then revised again to 100 tonnes,[5] and further to 230 tonnes.[6] The latest estimates of the amount of fuel has reached 250 tonnes.[7] The Queensland Government reacted to the situation based on the initial information of 20 tonnes, which was later discovered to be inaccurate, leading to claims of an inadequate initial clean up response.[8] After divers inspected the ship for the source of the spill, two holes were found. One, located just above the waterline, was 10 mm (0.4 in) long 15 mm (0.6 in) wide. The second and larger hole was located underneath the ship. The length of it was about 1 m (3.28 ft) and the width was 300 mm (11.8 in).[9]

Affected areas

In the days following the spill, substances washed ashore along a 60 km (37 mi) stretch of coastline. Oil covered beaches, rocky reefs, coastal wetlands and mangrove wetlands.[3] Most of these areas have been declared restricted zones and have limited public access: Radar Satellite images acquired in preparation for cyclone damage captured the extent of the oil spill before it hit the coastline.[10]

Bribie Island – northern coastline
Moreton Island – from Eagers Creek on the ocean beach, north around Cape Moreton and on to Comboyuro Point, in Moreton Bay

Clean up

Following the oil spill Queensland Premier Anna Bligh declared two islands and parts of the Sunshine coast disaster areas.[11] Cleanup efforts were reportedly going to cost at least A$100,000 a day and last more than a week as the oil continued to spread. Several search parties have been sent to the spill area to attempt to find the potentially explosive materials that were in the 31 containers. Press reports stated that if the ammonium nitrate were to mix with the heavy fuel, the mixture could ignite and cause a large explosion. If the chemical did not react with the fuel but still leaked out, marine life could be threatened by large blooms of algae.[12] By 15 March, the cost of the spill jumped to A$10 million ($6.6 million USD).[13] A team of 88 people were sent out to begin the cleanup process and another 58 were expected to join within the following days.[14] On 16 March, the Australian Navy began searching for the 31 containers of ammonium nitrate which were knocked off the ship. A navy mine hunting ship was sent to look for the containers to reduce the amount of impact the chemical could cause.[15]

The clean-up is a delicate operation as beaches had already been eroded from the high tides after ex-tropical cyclone Hamish battered the coast over the past week. High tides were carrying off some of the fuel oil initially deposited along shorelines and dispersing it back into the sea. By 15 March, the Government of Australia reported that 50% of the oil had been contained. The slick has been removed from about 95% of Bribie Island, 85% along the Sunshine Coast, and 25% around Moreton Island.[9] On Moreton Island, a total of 290 people are working to clean up the oil with most of them focusing on Middle Creek and Cape Moreton.[7] Even though hundreds of people are working on cleaning the spill, the average amount of oil cleaned each day was 1 km (0.6 mi) per day. At this rate, it would take more than a month to clean all the affected areas.[16] The Federal Government promised to provide A$2 million ($1.3 million USD) to help with the cleanup.[17]

Cleanup efforts complete

In late July 2010, the cleanup effort was declared "complete". Federal Environment Minister Peter Garret attended cleanup sites to celebrate the end of cleanup efforts.[3] The total cost was $4 million with $2 million contributed form the Federal Government. 1,425 personnel too 16 months to cleanup 155 hectares of coastal area. This included 21,220 plants and 2.6 km of fencing to protect recovering vegetation.[3]

Effects and consequences

Disaster declaration

Shortly after the slick washed ashore the Queensland government declared a state of emergency.[2] The disaster declaration will restrict public access to beaches affected by the oil slick and allow clean-up teams unobstructed access. The declaration covers:

  • All of Moreton Island.
  • Coastal waters and beaches in the Sunshine Coast, Redcliffe and Brisbane disaster districts.
  • The southern tip of Bribie Island to Point Arkwright.

Local economy

Several of the local restaurants which receive shipments of fish from the waters off the Queensland coast refused to stock any more fish due to the spill. The cost of the cleanup has also hurt the economy, costing at least A$10 million ($6.6 million USD).[13] In July 2009 the total clean-up bill was estimated to be A$34 million.[18] The Australian Government provided A$750,000 to help jump-start the tourist industry. Fourteen of the 19 beaches affected along the Sunshine Coast which have been cleaned were reopened in March 2009.[19]

Fines and legal implications

The shipping company and the ship's master are expected to be fined A$2 million ($1.3 million USD)[15] and $500,000 respectively. In addition the Queensland Premier Anna Bligh explained: "If there is any grounds for prosecution of this ship and its owners we will not hesitate to take that action." and "We will also be pursuing them for compensation as this is going to be a very big clean-up cost and I want those ship owners to be paying for it."[2] Following the environmental disaster, the company could be fined an additional A$248.6 million ($163.5 million USD).[20] In August 2009 after lengthy talks with the Queensland government the vessel's owner, Swire Shipping, agreed to pay A$25 million towards clean-up costs.[21] Once the ship was at port, the captain was forced to surrender his passport to Australian officials and he was to remain in Brisbane for at least two weeks to help with the investigation.[22]

Wildlife

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that the full extent of wildlife affected by the spill has yet to be realised. "The flow-on effects of oil spills can be substantive," according to a spokesperson for the agency. "The longer-term impacts are yet to be realised." Several birds have been found covered with oil.[2] By 17 March, about 30 animals had been recovered after being covered with oil. All of the animals were immediately treated and cleaned.[22]

See also

32x28px Queensland portal

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Oil spill: Qld beaches declared disaster zones". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 13 March 2009. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/13/2514943.htm. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Ironside, Robyn; Caldwell, Anna and Williams, Brian (2009-03-13). "Pacific Adventurer oil spill a disaster says Anna Bligh". The Courier Mail (News Limited). http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25179213-952,00.html. Retrieved 2009-03-13.[dead link]
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Moreton oil spill clean up finally declared over. The Age, Retrieved July 24
  4. ↑ Kelmeny Fraser and Daryl Passmore (15 March 2009). "Skipper blamed". Sunday Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25187797-662,00.html. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
  5. ↑ "Pacific Adventurer Incident". Swire Shipping. 13 March 2009. http://www.swireshipping.com/web/news.jsp?fid=368. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  6. ↑ Staff Writer (14 March 2009). "Oil spill crisis multiplied tenfold". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/14/2516277.htm. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Andrew Wight (15 March 2009). "Clean-up efforts continue". Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/cleanup-efforts-continue/2009/03/15/1237054623644.html. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  8. ↑ Staff Writer (13 March 2009). "Australian beaches a 'disaster zone' after oil spill". AFP. http://www.webcitation.org/5fEplZAMe. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 AAP (15 March 2009). "Government says it has oil spill under control". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/national/government-says-it-has-oil-spill-under-control-20090315-8yq7.html?page=-1. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  10. ↑ Staff Writer (16 March 2009). "TerraSAR-X monitoring oil spill in Queensland". Apogee Imaging International. http://www.apogee.com.au/blog/?p=220. Retrieved 16 March 2009.[dead link]
  11. ↑ Angela Macdonald-Smith (13 March 2009). "Australia’s Queensland Declares Disaster as Oil Coats Beaches". Bloomberg News. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aZMInXpC.QLU&refer=asia. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  12. ↑ Staff Writer (12 March 2009). "Hazardous Cargo Ship Sent Into Savage Storm". Transport and Logistics News. http://tandlnews.com.au/2009/03/12/article/URKMGGLKSW.html. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Brian Williams, Patrick Lion and Alison Sandy (15 March 2009). "Oil spill ship skipper Bernadino Santos has passport seized". The Courier Mail. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25191367-3102,00.html. Retrieved 14 July 2010.[dead link]
  14. ↑ Christine Kellett (13 March 2009). "Oil slick puts Moreton Island drinking water at risk". The Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/oil-slick-threatens-water-supply/2009/03/13/1236447442720.html. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Dennis Passa (16 March 2009). "Australian navy to help spill clean up". Associated Press. http://www.webcitation.org/5fJqrOMpZ. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
  16. ↑ Connie Levett (15 March 2009). "Oil spill could take a month to clean". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/environment/oil-spill-could-take-a-month-to-clean-20090314-8yhd.html?page=2. Retrieved 15 March 2009.
  17. ↑ Stephanie Peatling (17 March 2009). "Navy joins search for containers". The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/national/navy-joins-search-for-containers-20090316-8zyl.html. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  18. ↑ Steve Gray and Jessica Marszalek (5 July 2009). "Qld unlikely to recover oil spill costs". The Age. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/qld-unlikely-to-recover-oil-spill-costs-20090705-d8oy.html. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  19. ↑ Daniel Hurst (17 March 2009). "Govt allocates $750k to keep tourism afloat after oil spill". Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/queensland/750k-campaign-to-keep-tourism-afloat-after-oil-spill/2009/03/17/1237054808103.html. Retrieved 17 March 2009.
  20. ↑ Dennis Passa (14 March 2009). "'Catastrophe' fear over Australian oil spill". The Scottsman. http://news.scotsman.com/world/39Catastrophe39-fear-over-Australian-oil.5072019.jp. Retrieved 14 March 2009.
  21. ↑ unknown (14 September 2009). "Oil spill captain to face court in Nov". The Age. http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/oil-spill-captain-to-face-court-in-nov-20090914-fnet.html. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Adam Morton and Cosima Marriner (17 March 2009). "Oil spill to require lengthy eco-monitoring". The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/environment/oil-spill-to-require-lengthy-ecomonitoring-20090316-8zwn.html. Retrieved 17 March 2009.

External links

40x40px Wikinews has related news: Oil spill hits Australia's Sunshine coastline

pl:Wyciek ropy w południowym Queensland (2009)


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