Clayton Mitchell MP

Spokesperson for Conservation
30 JUNE 2016

Buoy Sinks Raising Fears of Shipping Accident

The outdated Taharoa buoy, which giant ironsand ships tie up to, has sunk, raising potential for an environmental accident off the North Island’s west coast.

“Despite reassurances from Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss in March that the Taharoa buoy was safe, an incident at the buoy early this month indicates otherwise,” says New Zealand First Spokesperson for Conservation Clayton Mitchell.

“We still have an outdated buoy not fit for purpose used by ironsand carriers – the largest ships ever to visit New Zealand.

“In this latest incident the two new 177,000 tonne ironsand bulkers were held offshore, divers and support vessels were spotted and eyewitnesses reported that the buoy appeared to have sunk.

“It is foolhardy of the Minister not to recognise the potential risk when these ships carry enough fuel to do a round trip to China. Any failure of the outdated buoy could mean another environmental disaster.

“A safety audit recommended the buoy be replaced and we have been told this will happen at the end of the year.

“This is not soon enough,” says Mr Mitchell.

“New Zealand First is calling for this latest incident to be fully investigated and the buoy replacement to be re-prioritised as urgent.”

ENDS

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