VIA – NZ HERALD
Rena spill: BoP beaches re-open
1:56 PM Tuesday Nov 15, 2011
Bay of Plenty beaches between Mount Maunganui and the Maketu Estuary closed after oil leaked from the cargo ship Rena will re-open from tomorrow morning, although two sections remain closed for further cleaning.
National on-scene commander Mick Courtnell said restricted public access is to allow oil spill response teams, sometimes with large trucks and other heavy machinery, to work unimpeded on the most affected areas of beach.
He said the restricted areas will be clearly marked with tape and signs.
Public access to the beach was restricted to allow oil spill response teams, including large trucks and other heavy machinery, to work unimpeded on the most affected areas of beach, as well as minimising the contamination of other clean areas.
Mr Courtnell said there was no longer any operational need to restrict public access to the beach, but said members of the public should still exercise caution when using the beaches.
“The beaches are not the same as they were before Rena grounded,” Mr Courtnell said.
“There are small amounts of oil buried in the sand, on some of the rocks and in some cases submerged in the water. Oil will continue to resurface with tidal movement and will be most evident after periods of rough or stormy weather.”
Sightings of oil should be reported to 0800 OIL SPILL.
Mr Courtnell said …
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