TRANSCRIPT NICK SMITH 15/10/11
The Rena Took a Short Cut

Environment Minister Nick Smith says the “Rena” hit Astrolabe reef because the Captain decided to take a short cut.

Speaking today on TV3’s “The Nation” Mr Smith said that the path that was navigated was one in which the ship was trying to get into port quickly.

“Now that is rumour, I can't confirm that<” he said.

“But it appears from the charts that they were in a rush to get to port, went full bore, cut the corner, and hit the reef.”

Mr Smith defended the Government’s response against charges that it was too little, too late.

“There's pretty ill-informed comment about the complexity of these sorts of salvage operations, and the consistent message I've had is what has taken place here is world's best practice.”

Mr Smith was asked about a Maritime Industry New Zealand review of its oil pollution response capabilities in February this year.

The report concluded there was little New Zealand would be able to do stop oil reaching the shore and that the New Zealand response would be what it called a “shoreline based response”.

“I think the fact is true, whether the oil spill is in New Zealand or in international waters, the options you have for the containment of the oil from vessels are pretty limited,” said Mr Smith.

“I've for instance been pretty critical that booms were not used, the truth is that booms don’t work in those conditions.”

Mr Smith also denied claims made in the programme that the Government could have removed oil from the Rena if it had responded quicker.

“In terms of the question about a vessel it would have made nought difference if you had on the Wednesday, hours after that the vessel hit that reef, it would have made no difference in terms of getting the oil off shore.”

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