Council responding to fuel leak after boat sinking

Waikato Regional Council marine oil spill response staff are helping deal with a diesel leak after a boat sinking in Coromandel Harbour overnight.

The local harbour master has deployed sorbent booms around the 12-metre vessel to help prevent the spread of the diesel. Further gear and specialist staff are being deployed to the scene to manage the situation.

Duty regional on scene commander Adam Munro said the vessel had sunk on its mooring for unknown reasons in 4.5 metres of water, several hundred metres off Windy Point.

The vessel had approximately 400 litres of diesel on board.

“Our current focus is on containing the leak of the diesel to help keep it away from sensitive areas and protect the marine environment.

“We are working closely with the vessel’s owner, who will be arranging salvage through their insurer.”