MV Tycoon - Incident update

4:15pm AEDST, 20 January 2012

A small amount of oil continues to leave the vessel during high tides, but in general the water in the cove is clear. There has been no fresh oiling of the beach and no shoreline clean-up operations were undertaken on Thursday due to an increased swell. This swell is assisting in naturally washing the residual oil from the rocks.

Since yesterday the condition of the wreck has deteriorated and the ship’s derrick has moved even closer to the fixed tower crane on the wharf. Authorities are continuing to take measures to protect the crane.

A severe weather warning has been issued for the weekend continuing into next week. A three-metre swell and strong north-westerly winds will likely accelerate deterioration of the wreck. As before, these conditions will assist in breaking up remnants of oil that may be released. More sorbent boom has been dispatched to Christmas Island to ensure supplies are adequate should more oiling occur.

Marine scientists have arrived on the island to begin long-term environmental monitoring of marine life and coral reef habitat.