Rena Oil Spill update

Went to a meeting yesterday in Waihi Beach to get the latest on the oil spill.
The head of Maritime NZ  covered of how the grounding happened and where the oil was on the boat - hundreds of tons in about 5 different places and a real mission to get off the boat and totally weather dependent.Maritime NZ had done imaging to plot where the oil was likely to go and whew the weather and tide gods are smiling on us here at Waihi Beach.

Also at the meeting was a marine scientists from Waikato University who covered off the effects to bird life, the echo system and fish and shell fish.

Great to hear from both that the priority is oil, oil oil and getting it off the boat.

At Waihi Beach we are sooo lucky the currents and tides are taking the oil spill south towards Whakatane.Doesn't sound right saying we are lucky at some other regions expense - probably fortunate is a better word.

It was great to see at the meeting groups taking ownership - the coastguard, the local marae, the boating club  all doing their bit to look after our beach and our waters watching for any signs of oil.

For more information on the oil spill www.waihibeachinfo.co.nz/waihi_beach_community_info.html