Police request public to notify authorities of location of shipping containers

Maritime New Zealand, Police and other agencies are asking members of the public to call 0800 OIL SPILL to notify authorities of the location of any containers which may wash ashore from the Rena.

The officer in charge of the Police operation to support Maritime New Zealand, Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair, says even if the containers come ashore, they remain the property of the original owners or insurers.

He says people have a statutory responsibility to notify authorities about their location.

Inspector Wright-St Clair says people should not attempt to open any of the containers, as some of them may contain hazardous material. He says it is also an offence to attempt to open or retrieve any of the containers.

"If people see any containers, please call 0800 OIL SPILL immediately to give them the location. Ideally, please give them the beach access number that the container is closest to, or any other noticeable landmark.

"The 0800 OIL SPILL call centre will notify Police and other emergency services and we will respond.

"I can't reiterate enough, please do not attempt to open any of the containers. Not only do they remain the property of the original owners or insurers, they may contain hazardous material and need to be dealt with carefully and appropriately."

Inspector Wright-St Clair says if people are found to be interfering with containers, they will be dealt with by Police, with a view to prosecution.