Local tanker repair sought

The agents of a supertanker stuck at Marsden Pt after its hull split are hoping full repairs can be done in New Zealand.

The Capella Voyager was carrying 108,000 tonnes of crude oil to the Marsden Pt refinery, near Whangarei.

The Maritime Safety Authority detained it last Wednesday evening after its hull split and thousands of tonnes of water leaked into a ballast tank.

Authority spokeswoman Helen Mojel said the tanker's agent was checking with Whangarei and Auckland harbour authorities to see if repairs could be done in New Zealand.

A temporary repair had been put over the crack in the bow and the rest of the hull was being checked.

"There was some indication they might try and do permanent repairs either in Whangarei or Auckland."

Whangarei harbourmaster Ian Niblock said he was confident no oil had leaked from the tanker.

The crude oil was unloaded on Thursday and Friday.

"There have been very careful checks carried out through the whole operation to make sure no oil has been spilled."

An authority investigation into the tanker was expected to take several months.

Meanwhile, concerns about the sudden appearance of a band of black sand on Ruakaka Beach have been allayed.

Residents worried about an oil spill reported finding the band at the Marsden Pt end of the beach.

Mr Niblock said monitoring officers found the band was ordinary black sand, presumably washed up in bad weather.

- NZPA

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine