Greens MHA Rosalie Woodruff raises Ocean Monarch squirt fears

The Greens say serious questions remain about the potential biosecurity risks posed by an oil rig moored in the Derwent River.

Ocean Monarch oil rig arrives in the River Derwent. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

THE Greens say serious questions remain about the potential biosecurity risks posed by an oil rig moored in the River Derwent.

The Environment Protection Authority gave the Ocean Monarch the all-clear on Thursday after receiving the results of a visual inspection commissioned by rig owner Diamond Offshore Drilling General Company.

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Biofouling Solutions’ January 5 survey said it was “unlikely” the vessel posed a risk to the marine environment despite it carrying three small white growths that looked similar to the invasive colonial sea squirt.

Greens environment spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff wrote to EPA director Wes Ford yesterday asking what action the body would take to establish a definitive finding.

“The inspection was not independent, and was conducted by the company’s own contractor,” Dr Woodruff said.

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“It also was not undertaken by divers and the remotely operated vehicle used missed parts of the hull.

“There is a serious threat to native species and aquaculture industries if the inadequate inspection’s conclusions are wrong.”

The EPA was contacted for comment yesterday afternoon.

It said on Thursday the white growths did not display invasive characteristics and the presence of significant colonies in inaccessible areas of the hull was also “unlikely”.

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The Ocean Monarch moored in the Derwent in late November for repairs and refused a request from the EPA for an inspection on December 14.

The EPA was worried the rig carried the colonial sea squirt, which is not found in Tasmania but in waters off WA, where the vessel was previously moored.

It is expected to leave the Derwent at the end of the month.