A Japanese whaling ship on fire off the coast of Antarctica has
sparked fears of an environmental disaster if the ship's 1,000 tons
of fuel oil and chemicals leaks.
The fire broke out yesterday at about 5 AM New Zealand time on
the black-hulled Nisshin Maru, the 8,000-tonnage flagship of
the Japan whaling fleet. One crewman is missing.
New Zealand maritime authorities said anti-whaling protestors in
the Southern Ocean, which clashed with the whalers on Monday, were
not involved as they are more than two days sail away.
The fire, fueled in part by whale oil, had been contained below
deck and the Japanese crew were now simply waiting for it to burn
itself out, said Maritime New Zealand.
It is unclear whether the ship, currently disabled, will be able
to restart its engines. If it remains disabled the Nisshin
Maru will continue to threaten the environment if calm weather
in the Southern Ocean, known for massive storm seas, turns bad.
"We don't need to stress that this is an extremely pristine
environment with high biodiversity values," New Zealand
Conservation Minister Chris Carter told a news conference in
Wellington, New Zealand.
"We think there is up to 1,000 tons of heavy fuel oil on board
the vessel, as well as many other chemicals. From an environmental
point of view we are very concerned should there be any leakage
into the Ross Sea," said Carter.
Carter said if an oil leak occurred an international response
would be launched involving New Zealand, Australia and the United
States, which all have Antarctic bases.
Maritime New Zealand said the cause of the fire was unknown, but
there had been reports of explosions below deck.
Three other Japanese whaling ships have come to the aid of the
Nisshin Maru, taking 126 crew off the ship, while 31 are
fighting the fire, said Maritime New Zealand spokesman Steve
Corbett said.
"The master advises he has the situation under control," said
Corbett, but added "there is some potential to escalate again."
"The fire is below decks, below the bridge and above the engine
room," Corbett said.
"It's a serious fire. What they have done is seal off the area
and they will let it burn itself out. The temperature is dropping,
that's good news."
No international assistance had been requested or sent to the
area, said the New Zealand government.
(China Daily February 16, 2007)
