KEY POINTS:
The fishing boat San Cuvier, which ran aground on rocks with the loss of two lives while taking shelter near Opotiki during recent stormy weather, has been cleaned up without contaminating coastline.
San Cuvier skipper Rick Josephs, 38, and Damien Wyatt, 35, lost their lives as the crew abandoned ship on July 27.
Mr Josephs' body was recovered but Mr Wyatt's body was swept out to sea and has not been found. Two other crew were plucked to safety by rescue helicopter and admitted to hospital.
Eastern Bay of Plenty harbourmaster Brian Spake said all fuel had been removed from the boat and a check of the coastline had revealed no signs of contamination.
In total 18,000 litres of liquids was removed from the boat, with 11,000 litres being diesel fuel.
All other material on the grounded boat was removed by the boat owners, Sanford Ltd.
Environment Bay of Plenty's regional harbourmaster Carl Magazinovic said the future of the vessel was yet to be decided.
The harbourmaster team was continuing to work with the boat's owners, Maritime Safety NZ and other organisations to ensure the boat did not cause any future safety or environmental issues.
The coastline was special to many people and had significant conservation value, said Mr Magazinovic.
- NZPA
