The Philippine Online Chronicles

The Filipino captain of stricken container ship Rena that spilled oil into New Zealand waters was arrested and charged in court this week for “operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary damage or risk." the oil spill is New Zealand's worst environmental disaster in decades, according to NZ environment minister Nick Smith.

Mauro Balomanga, the 44-year old captain of the Liberian-flagged vessel that wedged on the Astrolabe Reef, located 22 kilometers off the north coast of New Zealand is out on bail but scheduled to reappear in court on October 19. The ship's second officer is also facing a similar charge.Balomanga could face one-year imprisonment or a penalty of NZ$10,000 ($7,800) for the maritime disaster.

The vessel is stranded on the reef since October 5 and have leaked up to 300 tons of heavy toxic fuel and some of its hundreds of containers into the environmentally sensitive Bay of Plenty.

Salvage crew are working fast to pump more oil out of the ship as officials warned that the crisis will worsen if the vessel breaks open and releases all 1,700 tons of oil it is carrying into the sea. The 775-foot vessel showed a gaping crack in its hull and could break up at any point, according to Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).

The vessel carried 1,368 containers on board. Eleven containers containing hazardous substances are still on the vessel and are not among the 88 estimated overboard. “Several containers had washed up on beaches. Many had broken open and the contents - including timber, animal hides, butter and meat - were floating in the water and littering shorelines. The area closed stretched almost 14 miles,” New York Times posted.

It was highly likely that more containers will plunge into the sea because of the severe weather conditions and the vessel’s heavy list, the MNZ said.

The registered owner of the Rena, Greek firm Costamare Shipping, apologized for the disaster and promised to cooperate with investigations. The shipping's managing director, Diamantis Manos said, “Our captain is an experienced master and has an exemplary record,” Mr. Manos said. “The ship was fully certified and had recently been inspected by the Flag State and New Zealand Port State Control, in August and September 2011 respectively. They found no problems; obviously something went very wrong.”

Filipino crew repatriated, community facing public sentiments

The 24-member crew of MV Rena are all Filipinos, nineteen of them were already repatriated by the Philippine Embassy. Only six crew members remain in Tauranga, including Balomanga and the navigational officer.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Raul Hernandez said the owners of the Mediterranean shipping company has already provided a lawyer for the Filipino crew. He saidPhilippine Embassy Minister and Consul Giovanni Palec assured that they are following the judicial process.

In a statement, the Philippine Embassy in Wellington conveyed grief over the maritime accident.

“Words will never be enough to convey our sadness over the unfortunate maritime accident involving the MV Rena and its detrimental effects on the environment and the community of Tauranga. Like New Zealand, the Philippines greatly values the paramount importance of protecting the environment and the Filipino people fully understand what the people of New Zealand, especially those in the Tauranga communities are going through right now.”

Filipinos living in Northern New Zealand are reportedly being ill-treated over the maritime disaster. But the Philippine Embassy said such incidents are not reflective of the sentiments of the people of Tauranga. The remaining Filipino sailors of MV Rena in New Zealand are kept in a secret location as a precaution.

Meanwhile, International Seafarers Action Center (ISAC) President Atty. Edwin dela Cruz, said the Philippine government and the owners of Rena must provide proper legal protection for the Filipino crew involved in the maritime accident.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby expressed disappointment by the reported negative reactions. "In my younger days I've actually worked with the Filipino community and they're lovely people and a great race and that's very disappointing that that has actually happened," Crosby said. "Those that need to be brought to account are being brought to account and I'd like to think that New Zealanders and Tauranga folk are better than that," he added.

Severe environmental damage

The oil spill resulted to kilometers of beaches marred by clumps of thick, black oil, forcing authorities to close beach areas to the public. Officials also issued public health warnings about fumes, advising nearby residents to keep their windows closed.

At least 500 birds had been found dead this week, and dozens were being treated and cleaned. MNZ said it expected the number of bird deaths to increase “significantly.”

A Reuters report stated that “hundreds of people - including soldiers—“were scraping the clumps of thick, toxic, fuel oil, some as large as dinner plates, into plastic bags and large bins."

According to Auckland University marine biologist Barbara Bollard-Breen, the incident may “not only affect some of New Zealand's most pristine coastal areas… but also estuaries and already threatened marine habitats."