CORRECTION: OIL SPILL CAPTAIN SURRENDERS PASSPORT

The captain of ship at the centre of the oil spill off Moreton Island surrendered his passport to Commonwealth authorities, Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said tonight.

The passport is in the possession of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

“Maritime Safety Queensland officers served legal papers on the captain of the Pacific Adventurer this afternoon,” said Mr Lucas.

“He is required to stay on board the ship.

“This will allow investigators to comprehensively investigate the facts and circumstances around the two oil spills last week.

“These investigations will include why only 30 tonnes of oil was first reported to have been spilled by the ship, when the true figure is now believed to be around 250 tonnes.”

The Pacific Adventurer lost 31 containers of ammonium nitrate overboard on Wednesday in heavy seas caused by ex Tropical Cyclone Hamish.

A massive cleanup effort is continuing on parts of Moreton Island affected by the oil spill.

“The workers are doing a fantastic job, more than 50 per cent of the oil affected areas are now clean across the Sunshine Coast, Bribie Island and Moreton Island,” said Mr Lucas.

“Both the Sunshine Coast and Bribie Island are all but clear, in fact we’ve seen some workers move from there to Moreton Island today.

“25 per cent of areas impacted by oil on Moreton Island are now clean.

“A 10 kilometre stretch was washed clean by nature and workers have cleaned more than 2 kilometres by hand.

“There’s still a big job in front of us but I’d like to thank the workers for the difference they’ve already made.”

Media Contact – Matthew Klar 0437 435 223