Second spill at Tutukaka Marina

A diesel spill that spread between three piers and amongst dozens of boats at Tutukaka Marina had to be dispersed by using small boats to stir up the water.

Northland Regional Council staff had to deal with a spill at the marina for the second time in less than a week. A smaller spill occurred on Friday.

Chidambaram Surendran, council deputy harbourmaster, said yesterday's covered an area about equivalent to a hectare. When his team arrived in the morning there was a strong smell of diesel but the slick on the water's surface was not thick and had already been broken up by tide and wind action, and was expected to evaporate quickly.

Mr Surendran said that because the spill was not contained in a small area and in amongst many boats, council and marina staff used small boats to disperse it. It was impossible to contain and collect it.

The spill was larger than Friday's one which allegedly sparked an argument between a boat owner and others at the marina.

Mr Surendran said the fuel jetty had been ruled out of yesterday's incident, which could have been caused by someone refuelling at a mooring or in the harbour.

Boats moored for long periods sometimes had a thin layer of fuel collect on the surface of bilge water and it got pumped out when the automatic pumps came on.

"Everyone is using the same fuel, we can't pin it on one particular person or vessel at this stage. If we knew the source and got on to the job as soon as it happened we could take immediate action.

"We have to be absolutely sure of who is responsible for these things, then we would definitely consider prosecution or costs recovery."

The marina held about 250 boats.

Tourism and dive business owner and Whangarei District Councillor Jeroen Jongejans said it was imperative the marina's water stayed clean.