Doubtful Sound oil slick monitored

Authorities are keeping an eye on an oil slick and wildlife in Doubtful Sound this weekend after the tourist boat Waverley sank with 700 litres of fuel on board.

Helicopters, boats, Environment Southland's oiled bird rescue team and Department of Conservation rangers will be monitoring seabirds around Matai Island this weekend after the Waverley struck a rock and later sank early yesterday morning.

Environment Southland staff were confident the risk of the slick spreading was low.

An aerial search yesterday found a 1.7km-long oil slick near the island which was expected to dissipate by Sunday.

The boat was reported to have had up to 700 litres of diesel aboard when it sank.

Fiordland crested penguins and shags were the creatures most vulnerable to oil in the area.

The oil slick was 5.5km from the nearest marine reserve and about 10km from the nearest known breeding area of the Fiordland crested penguin.

The eight passengers and two crew members aboard were safely transferred from the Waverley before the boat sank near Matai Island about midnight while it was being towed.

- NZPA