Port Nelson Annual Report 2007 (pdf)

“Watching the SZAP 5 descend beneath the waves accompanied by a
tremendous crashing was a strangely beautiful experience. Thanks to our efforts,
no debris accompanied her sea burial. We can take some pride that in doing a job
we did not ask for, we managed to make the best of it.”
Frances Woodhead, Environmental Officer, Port Nelson Limited.
E N V I R O N M E N T A L I S S U E S R E G I S T E R 2 0 0 6 / 7
A total of 61 incidents were recorded. The increase is due to improved
reporting following a review of the Issues Register code of practice,
and the introduction of the land-based spill trailer.
S Z A P 5 D I S P O S A L
The most unusual environmental project for the year was the sinking
of the SZAP 5, an abandoned but fully equipped 60 metre fishing
vessel - an undertaking that gave a whole new meaning to the concept
of ‘waste management’.
Following a long history of trying to get the owners to take responsibility
for the vessel and eventually securing the legal right to dispose of her,
our attempts to sell the vessel or get her broken up for scrap failed.
We had a liability on our hands, in a deteriorating condition, and in
December 2006 filed an application to Maritime New Zealand for a
permit for disposal at sea. Conditions of the permit included removing
all floatable items and contaminants - no small task on a fully equipped
32 berth fishing vessel.
The long process began with securing loose asbestos, pumping off
refrigerant used in the fish processing plant, removing diesel oil (for
recycling) from 13 fuel tanks and bilges and disposing of part-filled
drums of lube and other contaminants. In February, everything that
could float was removed from the ship. Serviceable items were resold,
unusual artifacts ended up on Trade Me and Nelsonians picked up
quirky Russian bargains at a garage sale. Stainless steel, metal and
even the bronze alloy propeller, were removed for recycling.
Preparations for towing included fitting bilge pump sensors and selfpowered
navigation lights. There was a long wait for suitable weather
for the tow to the approved dumping ground beyond Cape Palliser in
Cook Strait, a 2000 metre trench used as a munitions dump. Disposal
of redundant vessels is becoming an increasing problem around the
world. The development of facilities to recycle ships and consideration
of their end of life during construction is required. The SZAP 5 was built
in Klaypeda, Russia in 1978.
The new land-based spill trailer.
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