More damage found on oil slick ship Updated 39 minutes ago
Oil escapes: divers discovered further damage in the ship's hull (Greens/Senator Bob Brown)
* Video: Oil cleanup underway in Qld (News online) * Video: Oil spill clean-up begins (ABC News) * Audio: Bilbies breeding (almost) like rabbits (The World Today) * Audio: The Qld Govt accuses shipping co. of lying (PM) * Map: Brisbane 4000 * Related Story: Oil coming ashore for weeks, worse to come * Related Story: Heavy machinery hits Queensland beaches .. all inside ..
An underwater inspection has uncovered further damage to the hull of a container ship responsible for a massive oil spill on beaches off south-east Queensland.
The ship's owner has confirmed it is more badly damaged than first thought.
The Pacific Adventurer is docked in Brisbane at Hamilton.
Divers checked its hull this afternoon and discovered more damage beneath the waterline.
It is understood a second fuel tank was damaged on Wednesday when containers washed overboard.
Owner Swire Shipping had said no more than 42,000 litres of oil escaped from the ship.
The company says it is now likely substantially more oil was spilled.
Today Queensland Premier Anna Bligh rejected claims the Government tried to hide the extent of the problem assertions that you can cover up a 60 kilometre oil spill are nothing short of ridiculous.
A clean-up is continuing along 60 kilometres of beaches on Moreton Island and the Sunshine Coast.
Devastation
On Moreton Island, Tangalooma resort manager Trevor Hassard says it is devastating to see the spill in such a pristine environment.
"This morning from the helicopter I saw a pod of dolphins surface in oil," he said.
Neville Hawkins has been skippering the Moreton Island ferry for almost 40 years and says he is angry about the spill and worried about tourism.
"It's our lifeblood, isn't it; there'll be no visitors while the beach is in this state," he said.
Despite Mr Hawkins' concerns, the western side of Moreton Island has not been affected by the spill and visitors are still enjoying their holidays.
Matt Flannery is among them.
"We came over this morning for a wedding tomorrow ... luckily it's on this side of the island," he said.
The Environmental Protection Agency has closed access to a number of beaches and camping grounds until further notice.
Am still hearing the spill is entering the Brisbane River and the Environment Authority has admitted it was caught unawares; .. a spokesman said they had considered a measured response would be enough .. UGH!.
"No eyes that have seen beauty ever lose their sight." Jean Toomer
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