Tauranga Harbour suspected diesel spill: Public asked to stay away from area at Pilot Bay

Oil spill response team at Pilot Bay on Monday. Photo / Alex Cairns

The public is being asked to stay away from Pilot Bay while maritime teams respond to an oil spill in Tauranga Harbour.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council on-scene commander Matthew Harrex said staff received calls early this morning about oil on the water in Tauranga Harbour, north of Sulphur Point and Waikorire Pilot Bay.

The initial assessment suggested the spill was a mix of diesel and some heavier oil, Harrex said. Several potential sources were being investigated, but the actual source had not yet been identified.S

Before an oil spill was cleaned up at Pilot Bay. Photo / Bay of Plenty Regional Council

“We are undertaking oil removal by bagging any noticeably impacted sand along the shoreline at Pilot Bay and conducting on-water recovery near Stony Wharf, this will be completed this afternoon,” Harrex said.

“We will conduct a further check at first light. We ask the public to please stay away from the area for safety reasons.”

Earlier today, a regional council spokesperson said it was hard to tell how much diesel they were dealing with.

Pilot Bay after the oil spill clean-up. Photo / Bay of Plenty Regional Council

“Initial estimates are less than 100 litres of diesel at this stage.”

Staff had used cones to isolate an area of Pilot Bay.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council maritime and compliance team responding to a suspected diesel spill in Tauranga Harbour on Monday morning. Photo / BOPRC

“For your safety and to aid in the clean-up process, please avoid the shoreline at Waikorire Pilot Bay, until the clean-up is completed,” the spokesperson said.

Pilot Bay oil removal. Photo / Bay of Plenty Regional Council