Media Advisory 24 March 2004

Oil spills and navigation buoys

As part of a three-day national Maritime Safety Authority ‘Field Operators Course’ on marine oil spills there will be:

a training exercise at Greta Point/Evans Bay on Wednesday 24 March from 8am to 1pm

an oil spill exercise at Shelly Bay from 9.30am to 2pm on Thursday 25 March

Both days will include a variety of equipment such as booms, boats and skimming equipment. Plus lots of people in bright overalls and hardhats.

This is the first time this course has been run in Wellington.

The Wellington Regional Council provides a 24-hour marine oil pollution response.

Oil spills in regional harbours or regional coastal waters should be immediately reported to the Council on 04-384-5708, or 04-388-1911.

If you are interesting in taking photos, or talking to Greater Wellington staff taking part, please contact Grant Nalder on (0274) 516 155.

2. Barrett Reef Buoy

On Friday 26 March the large mooring chains will be brought back from the blacksmith ready for attaching to Barrett Reef buoy in preparation for changing-around the buoy’s on/off station. The Barrett Reef buoy that is ready to go out is to be moved to the south end of the Container Terminal on Thursday to be ready for this.

ENDS