Vessel ready to tackle spills

Maritime NZ will launch a new defence against oil spills at Picton today .

The oil recovery vessel Tukuperu will be one of only three in the country. The vessels, at $200,000 each, are designed to combat marine oil spills and enable Maritime NZ and regional teams to respond quicker.

Tukuperu will be based in Picton, strategically located for Cook Strait and South Island maritime activity. The vessels are designed to pack down for transport by road trailer or Hercules aircraft to problem areas.

Maritime NZ's manager of marine pollution response, Nick Quinn, said the Jody F Millennium spill off Gisborne in 2002 highlighted the need for such vessels. "The [craft] give us an extra option when tackling a spill and mean we can get out to the oil quickly. Tukuperu represents a great leap in capability and will really help us to protect our marine environment in the event of an oil spill," he said.

New Zealand's first oil recovery vessel, Taranui, was launched in April and is leased by the NZ Refining Company at Marsden Pt.

A third is due to be launched next month in Auckland.

- NZPA