Australian oil spill causes coastal problems
Courtney Doyle
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: News
On March 11 the Hong Kong cargo ship, the Pacific Adventurer leaked oil into the waters off the coast of Brisbane, Australia. Originally it was thought that only 5,300 to 7,900 gallons of oil was leaked, but a few days later it was made clear that 60,700 gallons of oil were split. Almost 40 miles of Australia's popular beaches were declared a disaster zone along the northeast coast.
The spill occurred after the cargo ship lost 31 containers of fertilizer from the ships deck. The containers damaged the fuel tank, which led to the oil leaking into the ocean. The fertilizer containers were lost because of rough seas, caused by Cyclone Hamish- a category five tropical cyclone.
Workers helped the Australian Navy clean up most of the oil spill and search for the missing fertilizer containers. On Thursday conservation officers started to remove turtle eggs from the infected area and had started to catch coastal wildlife most affected by the oil spill, such as pelicans. Hundreds of government workers scooped up oil ridden sand and threw it into bags. Luckily, most of the major cleanup was done by Saturday along the Sunshine coast and Bribie Island, though the cleanup of Moreton Island was expected to take longer. It was also reported at that time that there had been no dead wildlife found.
The company that owns the cargo ship, Swire Shipping, under Australian law could face fines of up to $1.3 million and could also be liable to up to $160 million more just in penalties if found guilty in creating environmental damage.
The spill occurred after the cargo ship lost 31 containers of fertilizer from the ships deck. The containers damaged the fuel tank, which led to the oil leaking into the ocean. The fertilizer containers were lost because of rough seas, caused by Cyclone Hamish- a category five tropical cyclone.
Workers helped the Australian Navy clean up most of the oil spill and search for the missing fertilizer containers. On Thursday conservation officers started to remove turtle eggs from the infected area and had started to catch coastal wildlife most affected by the oil spill, such as pelicans. Hundreds of government workers scooped up oil ridden sand and threw it into bags. Luckily, most of the major cleanup was done by Saturday along the Sunshine coast and Bribie Island, though the cleanup of Moreton Island was expected to take longer. It was also reported at that time that there had been no dead wildlife found.
The company that owns the cargo ship, Swire Shipping, under Australian law could face fines of up to $1.3 million and could also be liable to up to $160 million more just in penalties if found guilty in creating environmental damage.
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