Spill response case studies

Rena was carrying 1,368 containers and 1,733 tonnes of heavy fuel oil when it struck the Astrolabe Reef and grounded. Significant amounts of oil leaked into the environment after conditions deteriorated.

Members of MPRS were part of the international team that responded to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which threatened the South-Eastern coastline of North America.

After being grounded for nine days, the vessel (carrying 9,500 tonnes of urea fertiliser) was successfully refloated without a drop of oil being spilled near the entrance to Bluff Harbour.

The Jody F Millennium ran aground in Gisborne after breaking free from her moorings. Poor conditions forced the ship to remain at sea and led to twenty-five tonnes of fuel oil spilling onto surrounding beaches.

MNZ was asked to assist the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in responding to an offshore blowout at the Montara well platform in the Timor Sea. A fire eventually broke out on the platform.