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New Zealand Threatened by Possible Oil Spill VOA News 13 Feb 2002 09:39 UTC 
A pounding storm is endangering the New Zealand coast where a grounded freighter may break apart, causing a fuel spill.
Maritime Safety Director Russell Kilvington warned Wednesday of the possibility of what he termed "a major, catastrophic event."
The freighter, which ran aground New Zealand's east coast a week ago, has already leaked around 40 metric tons of fuel onto beaches near the resort town of Gisborne, north of Wellington. The storm is predicted to worsen, further weakening the vessel.
An effort to drain the ship of its fuel was halted overnight because of the severe weather.
Helicopters have been at work unloading some of the ship's cargo -- 20,000 metric tons of logs. Workers are pumping water as ballast and hope to use the high tides to dislodge the ship from a sandbank.
Authorities say rough seas swept the ship aground last Wednesday about 300 meters from shore.
Some information for this report provided by AP and DPA.
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