The Austro Carina was carrying about 10,000 litres of diesel and 400 litres of hydraulic oil. Photo: Nathan McKinnon / RNZ
The fishing boat that ran aground at Banks Peninsula carrying thousands of litres of diesel is breaking up, Canterbury Regional Council says.
Heavy swells continue to make it difficult for crews to get to the Austro Carina, which ran aground near a marine reserve at Shell Bay's Red Bluff on 24 September.
The boat was carrying about 10,000 litres of diesel and 400 litres of hydraulic oil.
The council warned it could take months to salvage the wreck, with the necessary equipment unavailable in New Zealand.
Wild weather that battered Banks Peninsula earlier this week ripped a hole in the boat.
The regional council said the structural integrity of the boat was failing, causing the stern section to break away.
"It is anticipated that more debris will wash up on the beaches as it breaks up. With the weather and sea conditions expected to improve over the coming days, salvage teams will attempt to board the vessel today at low tide to assess the oil and fuel remaining, net removal, and to begin debris collection," a spokesperson said.
The council said it had observed no signs of oil on the surface of the water, or oiled wildlife.
Canterbury Regional Council says it could months till the entire operation is complete. Photo: Supplied / Environment Canterbury
A salvage plan was being developed, with the priority action being to recover fuel and hazardous materials from the boat, such as nets.
It said the salvage equipment and expertise needed to tackle a boat of this size, in a rugged exposed location, and in shallow rock-strewn waters was extremely specialised and not available in New Zealand.
"The equipment exists with salvage operators who are contracted to remove wrecks all around the world and are experts in their field. New Zealand does sit in an isolated location with a very low rate of significant shipping incidents," Canterbury Regional Council said.
It said the equipment would include suitable salvage vessels, offshore towing vessels, heavy lift equipment, and trained and experienced personnel, and the operation in its entirety could take months to complete.