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Oil spills

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is the lead agency for responding to oil spills in the coastal marine area within 12 nautical miles of the coastline. 

Whether you have discovered a spill, or your vessel is the source of the spill, follow the below actions to ensure your safety and that of others.

If you spot an oil or fuel spill in the Bay of Plenty's coastal marine area, follow these steps immediately:

  1. Prioritise safety: Do not approach the spill or attempt to contain it yourself. Oil can be hazardous to your health.
  2. Report immediately: The quicker a spill is reported, the faster and more effective the response can be.
  3. Call the 24/7 Pollution Hotline:
    • Phone 0800 884 883.
  4. Information is key! To assist the response team, please be prepared to provide as many details as possible such as:
    • The exact location of the spill.
    • The date and time you first saw it.
    • The approximate size of the spill. 
    • The type of oil, if known (e.g., diesel, heavy oil).
    • The direction the oil is moving.
    • Details of any vessels or sources involved, if you saw one.
    • Your name and contact number so a response officer can follow up with you.

  • Do not touch or enter the water. Marine oil can contain toxic chemicals that pose a health risk.
  • Keep pets and livestock away. Prevent animals from contacting contaminated water or shoreline, as they can ingest the oil or become oiled.
  • If you discover oiled wildlife, do not attempt to clean it yourself. This requires specialist training. Instead, report it to the Pollution Hotline or contact the Department of Conservation (0800 DOC HOT).

Secure your vessel immediately to stop any leaks. Keep absorbent pads on board for minor spills and dispose of any oily waste responsibly at a proper facility. You can buy special sorbent pads from most chandlers or marine stores.

Remember to:

  • Check your engine for leaking fuel or oil.
  • Clean up any oil in the bilges before turning on the pump.
  • Soak up any floating oil with sorbent pads. Keep a stash of these on your boat. You can use newspaper or paper towels in an emergency.
  • If you have an automatic bilge pump you must keep the bilges clear of oil at all times. You can install a bilge water filter that will remove most contaminants.
  • Never mix detergent with oily bilge water before pumping. Most detergents are also contaminants.
  • Make sure you monitor the situation when refuelling and always aim to refuel at a fuel pump rather than transferring fuel to your boat in containers.