While in New Zealand the stern of the stranded Rena finally sunk, Australians were also facing a ship disgorging oil and phosphate in their waters .
The MV Tycoon broke its mooring in Flying Fish Cove in very rough weather yesterday morning and drifted towards the cliff side with its 15 crew on board.
The ship, built in 1983 in Japan, suffered tears and other damage down one side of its hull as it was swept against the rocks.
Christmas Island administrator Brian Lacy said the conditions were too rough to use a tugboat to pull it away from danger so the Royal Australian Navy sent several rigid inflatable boats to rescue the crew.
Authorities have estimated about 102 tonnes of intermediate fuel oil, 11,000 litres of lubricant oil, 32 tonnes of diesel oil and approximately 260 tonnes of phosphate onboard the vessel.
Christmas Island is rich in the mineral calcium rock phosphate, commonly used in fertilisers, according to the state's peak laboratory.
Chem Centre senior chemist Michael North said if the entire contents of the ship were dumped into the cove it would likely kill the areas' coral population by blocking out light and preventing photosynthesis.
An oil and phosphate spill from a sinking bulk carrier at Christmas Island off western Australia could be devastating for a number of endangered species, according to conservationists.
The largest fish on the planet, the whale shark, as well as 17 land crab species and at least two varieties of birds are at risk, Conservation Council of WA environmental science and policy coordinator Nic Dunlop said.
"January is a critical month in the annual cycle of things at Christmas Island," Dunlop, who used to live on Christmas Island, said.
He said the land crab usually returns to shore after spawning, but this year they will return to a coastline contaminated by oils and phosphate.
By Celsias
