Media Release
For immediate release
12 March 2011
11.45am
003


Tsunami marine threat for Auckland

Auckland Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley says the marine threat to Auckland from the recent earthquake in Japan is likely to result in swells and fast-running currents until at least 2pm today.

Existing advice remains in place:
• Do not swim at Auckland’s beaches, estuaries and harbours
• Civil defence updates continue on the radio.
• The Harbourmaster has advised that ships do NOT need to leave port but all mariners are advised to navigate with caution and have a listening watch on VHF channel 16

“The swells anticipated by civil defence from modelling have been matched by reports from the Auckland Harbourmaster.

“We strongly advise boaties to exercise caution in fluctuating swells, and advise swimmers to avoid swimming until 2pm at the earliest,” he says.

The Auckland Group Emergency Coordination Centre will release further
information as soon as it becomes available.
ENDS
Useful websites
• wwwaucklandcivildefence.org.nz
• www.civildefence.govt.nz
• http://www.getthru.govt.nz/web/GetThru.nsf/web/BOWN-7GZVAT?OpenDocument