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Marine Pollution Response |
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This response capability is based on contingency planning, and is
developed and maintained through partnerships between Maritime NZ,
Regional Councils, unitary authorities, and industry and overseas
agencies. The primary aim is to minimise the impact of pollution on
the marine environment within New Zealand's area of responsibility.
The response system is comprised of three ‘Tiers’, each
having the ability to escalate in an integrated and efficient manner
to the next, depending on the scale of the event. |
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Each Tier is required to prepare contingency plans and a response
capability appropriate to their respective levels of responsibility.
- Tier 1 – Industry (ships and onshore/offshore oil transfer
sites)
- Tier 2 – Regional Councils and Unitary Authorities
- Tier 3 – Maritime NZ and International Partners
Maritime NZ maintains a response capability of sufficient size to
counter an oil spill of 3,500 tonnes, which is deemed to be a 'one
in a hundred year' event. If the scale of an incident is beyond the
nation's domestic capability, arrangements are in place to secure
overseas assistance. This relationship is reciprocal, as New Zealand
will be expected to assist our neighbours if requested.
The capability consists of a national equipment cache located in Te
Atatu, Auckland and 20 deployed caches around New Zealand. A small
expert team is located with the equipment in Te Atatu and around 400
personnel are trained and exercised within the 16 regional areas.
This team is supported by experts in Maritime NZ's Wellington office
who have specialist skills.
Oil spill preparedness is funded by an industry levy, the Oil Pollution
Fund, which is paid by those sectors whose activities raise the risk
of a marine oil spill. In the event of an oil spill, the polluter
is liable for all costs associated with the response.
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