Fishing vessel aground near Shell Bay in Banks Peninsula

• 31 lift (fadge) bags of rubbish and fish bins and assorted chunks of loose debris were removed from the surrounding beaches yesterday by the salvage teams.
• All diesel on board the vessel is confirmed to be gone. The status of the hydraulic oil could not be confirmed but it is likely that this has been released.
• The fishing nets have been removed, aside from an amount that were unable to be cut away from under the stern of the vessel.
• The wreck has broken up significantly and has moved up the beach to the north.
• The clean-up will be ongoing as there is still some loose debris on the beach, with more being released from the wreck as it continues to break up.
• Salvors will continue with the clean-up when the windows of opportunity allow and in line with wreck removal principles.
• We continue to work closely with Te Rūnaka o Koukourarata, DOC, Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Maritime NZ and Wildbase.

• Aerial observations today show no visible oil on the surface of the water, coming from the vessel or the shoreline as well as no oiled wildlife observed over the weekend or today.
• Our team has observed a slow release of diesel from the vessel. The advantage of this is the fuel naturally disperses well, with the environment able to cope and recover quickly.
• Our priority remains for the safe removal of fuel and debris from the environment - including the wreck in its entirety.
• A salvage plan will be drafted this week. Executing this plan will require good weather and safety will be our number one priority.
• Our team is continuing to work with the vessel owner, insurers, and salvage teams to identify opportunities to collect debris from nearby beaches when safe to do so.
• We want to remind the public that if they see any oiled wildlife or debris to please call 0800 765 588 with detailed information (what, where and when) for our recovery team to respond appropriately.
• We continue to work closely with Te Rūnaka o Koukourarata, DOC, Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Maritime NZ and Wildbase.

• The owner of the vessel and insurance surveyor were on the water this morning to survey the vessel and allow salvage options to be produced. One of our experienced staff members was also onboard to assist in assessing the vessel stability, salvage options and current and foreseeable environmental impacts. The DOC vessel boat was out today as well with an experienced shoreline assessor and wildlife coordinator from ECan aboard, observing for oiling and wildlife in the area.  
• A light silver sheen (diesel) remains on the water around the vessel, drifting approximately several hundred metres south of the vessel. On land and aerial observations show there has been no clear impact on the surrounding bays, and no sightings of oiled wildlife today.  
• Two identified hoiho/yellow eyed penguin plan to be removed from Shell Bay today by DOC with assistance from Pohatu Penguin staff and Kāti Huikai (Te Rūnaka o Koukourarata) whānau, as a precaution for their safety from oil and debris that may enter that bay. We will confirm this in the next update.  
• The owner of the vessel is responsible for oil on the vessel, debris from the wreck and the wreck removal. Our responsibility is for the oil on the water and the protection (or recovery) of wildlife, and we are prepared to intervene, as required, to safely minimise the impact to the environment.  
• Due to the forecasted weather this weekend (prediction of 5 metre swells), the next update will be published on Monday 2 October (if there are no significant changes over the weekend).   
• We continue to work closely with Te Rūnaka o Koukourarata, DOC, Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Maritime NZ and Wildbase.  
  Cultural significance of Whakarimu. 

On Thursday 28 September 2023 the team has continued work on a detailed scenario and options for safely minimising the impact of oil and debris on the environment from the grounded ship near Shell Bay.

• We are still unable to gauge how much fuel remains, so preparations are being made for various response scenarios.
• Large amounts of debris have been identified on the shoreline via drone today, including internal insulation from the vessel. The vessel is sighting slightly deeper in the water to the right.
• A silver sheen (diesel) has been identified on the water around the vessel but appears to be dispersing due to high energy wave action.
• On land observations show there has been no impact on the surrounding bays, and no sightings of oiled wildlife to date. A response plan diagram (JPG file, 50 KB) has been completed to include mobilisation, capture and rehabilitation options as required.
• Due to the current and forecasted weather conditions for the coming days, the team will continue to monitor and assess the situation until observations can be conducted on the water.
• We continue to work closely with Te Rūnaka o Koukourarata, DOC, Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Maritime NZ and Wildbase.

On Wednesday morning staff assessed the Shell Bay shoreline via foot and the vessel’s state via drone.

• They reported no diesel on the water, no diesel odour (with an onshore wind) and no signs of oiling along the shoreline.
• The vessel is holding its position (maintaining a rolling motion with the swell), with waves now breaking over its entire length. The vessel remains in one piece.
• Once we can safely access from the water we will determine how best to salvage.
• We continue to prepare for a response to any oil impacts. We will also continue to monitor and assess the site via aerial observations, shoreline assessments and wildlife monitoring.
• There were no signs of affected or distressed wildlife. Our team are preparing a wildlife response plan that includes mobilisation, capture and rehabilitation options as required.
• We want to remind the public that if they see any oiled wildlife or debris to please call 0800 765 588 with detailed information (what, where and when) for our recovery team to respond appropriately.
• We continue to work closely with Te Rūnaka o Koukourarata, DOC, Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Maritime NZ and Wildbase.

On Monday 25 September, the Harbourmaster’s Office – Coastal Team at Environment Canterbury was notified of a vessel aground near Shell Bay on the southeastern side of Banks Peninsula.

• The vessel is the Austro Carina, a 25-metre fishing vessel owned and operated by Lyttelton-based Pegasus Fishing Limited.
• Weather conditions over the next few days are not favourable for the containment or removal of fuel. Aerial observations are showing very little oil on the water today. Any diesel in the water is likely to quickly disperse with wave action.
• We are surveying by drone daily to assess the vessel stability, release of fuel and oil, and any impacts on the environment and wildlife.
• There is still some debris in the surrounding water around the south coast of Banks Peninsula, particularly around the Shell Bay area. We are asking boat owners to avoid the area.
• There is no indication that wildlife has been impacted yet, but our team are preparing a wildlife response plan that includes recovery and rehabilitation options.
• We continue to work closely with Te Rūnaka o Koukourarata, DOC, Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, Maritime NZ and Wildbase.
• If you see any oiled wildlife or debris, please call 0800 765 588 with detailed information for our recovery team to respond appropriately.

All four crew were recovered by helicopter on Sunday 24 September between 9pm and 10pm.

The 25m fishing vessel is currently aground at Red Bluff on the southeastern coast of Banks Peninsula. The vessel has about 10,000L of diesel and 400L of hydraulic oil on board, as well as fish in its hold.  

An incident management team has been established and is currently assessing the situation and response options to safely minimise the impact of oil and debris on the environment. 

Initial aerial observations show that diesel has been released and is on the water heading towards Shell Bay and neighbouring bays. Shell Bay is home to the endangered yellow-eyed penguin, the white-flippered penguin, little blue penguins, the threatened nationally vulnerable spotted shag as well as seals and their pups. 

"The current conditions are extremely challenging and unsafe due to the accessibility and forecasted weather over the coming days,” says Emma Parr, Regional On-Scene Commander for the Harbourmaster’s Office – Coastal Team.  

"We are currently monitoring the situation and working with DOC with guidance from Massey University to initiate a wildlife response."