The fishing vessel that struck rocks off Stewart Island over the weekend and sparked an oil spill scare is now berthed in Timaru and is being checked for damage.
Environment Southland yesterday (Sun) ended its oil spill response after checks found no sign of diesel in the area where the Sureste 700 struck rocks on Friday night.
It was sheltering off the area known as 'The Neck' in Paterson Inlet when it struck rocks and ruptured a fuel tank about 10.50pm.
Today (Mon), the 58 metre-long fishing vessel arrived in Timaru under its own power.
"Once the extent of damage is ascertained by operators of the Sureste 700 they plan to prepare the vessel for repair work in Lyttelton," said regional harbourmaster Jim Dilley.
"While it is berthed in Timaru, oil spill booms will be placed around the damaged area of the vessel in case of any discharge of diesel."
To further reduce the chance of spills and leaks, approximately 20,000 litres of diesel and diesel/water mix were pumped from the damaged tank into another tank before the vessel's arrival.
Mr Dilley says Environment Canterbury will be working with the vessel operator and port companies to ensure minimal environmental damage.
"We're all working together to protect the local marine environment as much as possible and to ensure the safety of navigation is not affected," he said.
