Tanker Lanes Planned

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31881, 8 January 1969, Page 20

Tanker Lanes Planned

(From Out Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Jan. 7. Special overseas and local oil tanker sea lanes, at differing minimum distances from the coast, will probably be established this year.

They are expected to be recommended in the final report of a committee on the pollution of the sea by oil, due to reach the Cabinet soon.

The committee and its several specialist sub-committees have for many months been studying proposals for dealing with oil pollution of the sea and reducing the risks of tanker strandings or collisions.

A 40-page interim report embodying their preliminary

findings went to the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) late last year.

Minor amendments to some of the tentative proposals may yet be made as a result of discussions at a session bf the international maritime consultative organisation in London late in November. The Secretary for Marine (Mr R. N. Kerr) who is also chairman of the special committee, attended the London talks, which were largely about the implications for international maritime law.

Wellington studies confirm that the Hauraki Gulf is the area in which the greatest economic loss could be caused by a tanker accident and subsequent pollution of the sea.

Because of compartive isolation, the Dominion cannot expect ready aid in coping with major oil spillages. -

Last year, official consideration was given to preparing procedures by which the Royal Australian Air Foro* might be called to help d«l stroy any abandoned tanker leaking oil. But experience in the English /Channel has tended to discredit such an approach. The committe may concentrate on plans for keeping inventories of equipment, such as booms and pumps, to contain and gather the oil mechanically and to remove and store what oil may remain in a crippled tanker.

Scientific tests have convinced experts that except in certain special and relatively minor cases, detergents and chemicals should not be used to disperse or sink oil. In such circumstances, sawdust: may have fewer harmful sideeffects.