Pacific Adventurer owner assisting oil clean up; oil spill quantified

13 MAR 2009

Swire, the owner of the Pacific Adventurer, regrets the extent of the environmental pollution caused by spills of heavy fuel oil from the ship and the company is offering assistance with the clean up.

Its oil spill clean up expert, who flew in from Dubai overnight, is now working with the government task force that is coordinating the clean up, and Swire has decided to fly in specialist equipment in the event that it can be of use. This should arrive in 24 hours.

Sampling of the vessel's tanks today in conjunction with the authorities confirms the amount of oil lost was a maximum of 42.5 cu metres (equivalent to approx 42.5 tonnes). Earlier estimates of oil loss were made in difficult conditions on board.

Second oil spill
As full soundings of the vessel's tanks were being taken at the port to determine the amount of oil that leaked from the vessel, a small quantity of fuel oil escaped from the Pacific Adventurer. This occurred when the ship was being brought upright after being docked at Brisbane port this morning.

The small oil leak was immediately contained between the ship and the wharf. A recovery vehicle sucked the oil from the water's surface. Booms off the ship contained the oil and extra booms are surrounding the vessel as a precaution.

When the initial accident occurred at sea the ship was seven nautical miles offshore and coming in to pick up the Brisbane port pilot.

The owners and insurers are in discussion with the authorities concerning the cost of the clean up.

Swire Shipping