The Antarctic could be facing an environmental disaster following a fire on board the factory ship of the Japanese whaling fleet in the Southern Ocean.
With all protest vessels out of the area the fire is not considered to be sabotage but the burning vessel could trigger a major environmental disaster in one of the most untouched parts of the globe.
It is feared fuel and toxic chemicals will leak from the 8,000 tonne vessel, threatening penguins, seals and other wildlife.
The Nisshin Maru is carrying hundreds of tonnes of toxic fuel.
"We would be very disturbed to see both the heavy fuel oil and other chemicals aboard the vessel put into the environment of the Ross Sea," says Conservation Minister Chris Carter.
Most of the crew were evacuated to nearby whaling ships when an explosion on the processing deck triggered the fire but 31 remained behind to put out the flames. One man is missing.
"The Japanese assure us that they have sufficient supplies and capacity for those ships to bring all of the crew out safely," says Carter.
The fire is now contained but the ship has no power and if that cannot be restored it will have to be towed but the four whaling ships assisting the vessel are not big enough.
The ship has now taken on a lot of water and is listing. The remaining crew are battling to ensure no oxygen gets into the burning area.
A tug from New Zealand could reach the location in a minimum of six and a half days while a tug from Australia would take about eight and half days.
But the ship and its cargo of whale meat would not be welcome in New Zealand. Carter says New Zealand would be very reluctant to have the Nisshin Maru in NZ waters not only because it is a whaling vessel but also because it is damaged and has a lot of chemicals on board.
"In other circumstances when Japanese vessels have been in distress in New Zealand waters they have been towed away from New Zealand straight to Japan," says Catherine Taylor from Maritime Safety New Zealand.
Primary responsibility for the distressed ship resides with the Japanese, but the fire took place inside an area for which New Zealand is responsible for search and rescue.
Carter says the government's priority is to work with the Japanese fleet to get the Nisshin Maru's crew to safety. But he says it is up to the Japanese to decide what action it wishes New Zealand to take.
The vessel is still seaworthy and the captain has not asked New Zealand's rescue centre for any immediate assistance.
Japan refuses help from anti-whalers
Meanwhile, the Japanese Fisheries Agency has labelled anti-whaling vessels as "environmental terrorists" and says it will refuse their help for its distressed vessel.
Agency deputy director Hideki Moronuki issued a plea for help to the Australian and New Zealand governments.
"Because of this emergency situation, I cordially ask the Australian government as well as the New Zealand government to extend their kindest co-operation (to help)," Moronuki told ABC Radio.
But when asked if the vessel should accept help from anti-whaling vessels, Moronuki answered: "No, they are terrorists".
Greenpeace vessel Esperanza was the first to respond to the factory ship's distress message, but was told its help was not required.
"We are standing by and ready to assist at any time," Greenpeace spokeswoman Sara Holden said.
