The MSA is responsible for responding to major marine oil spill incidents, maintaining a nationwide level of oil spill response preparedness and for dealing with cost recovery and prosecution.

There are two documents that document this preparedness. The 1999/2000 New Zealand Marine Oil Spill Response Strategy and the National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan.

The New Zealand Marine Oil Spill Response Strategy

The New Zealand Marine Oil Spill Response Strategy provides the overall framework to mount an efficient and effective response to marine oil spills that occur within New Zealand ’s area of responsibility.

The aim of a response is to minimise the effects of the oil on the environment and on people’s safety and health.

The National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan

The National Marine Oil Spill Contingency Plan provides the means for a National On-scene Commander (NOSC) to be able to control any marine spill regardless of size.

The Plan is a large and ever changing document and includes the operations of MSA's National Oil Spill Service Centre (NOSSC), located in Te Atatu, Auckland .

Cost Recovery and Prosecution Options

Operating on the principle that the polluter pays, all costs from an oil spill response and subsequent clean up can be recovered from the spiller, under the Maritime Transport Act 1994.

If the spiller can not be identified, the cost of the response can be recovered from the Oil Pollution Fund, a statutory fund which receives its income from an oil pollution levy paid by maritime industries and users.

The Director of Maritime Safety has the power to investigate any discharge or escape of a harmful substance in breach of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 or the Resource Management Act 1991.

From this investigation the Director may decide to initiate a prosecution against those he considers liable for the pollution incident.