Environment pollution
Details
Event title
New Zealand - Boat carrying 2000 litres of diesel sinks in Marlborough Sounds
Source
Severity
Low
Event date (UTC)
2026-09-29 15:24:20
Last update (UTC)
2026-09-29 15:24:23
Area range
Local event
Address/Affected area(s)
Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough District
An oil spill response is under way after a boat carrying 2000 litres of diesel sank in the Marlborough Sounds.
Marlborough District Council said the 52-foot vessel Padrone sank near the jetty at Waitaria Bay in Kenepuru Sound on Tuesday morning.
The vessel had 2000 litres of diesel and 60 litres of engine oil on board.
The Marlborough Harbourmaster is responding to the spill, with six trained responders sent from Havelock about lunchtime.
The team travelled on the Harbourmaster vessel Resolution with oil spill management equipment, including absorbent booms.
On-scene commander Pete Hamill said there had so far been little evidence of fuel escaping from the sunken vessel.
“So far we have seen only minimal signs of fuel on the water surface but we will continue to keep a close eye on the vessel,” Hamill said.
The owner plans to refloat Padrone on Wednesday.
The cause of the sinking is not yet known.
The council said weather conditions in the area were good.
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Stuff