Port returns to normal after gas leak

Shipping operations were returning to normal after a gas leak closed the ferry terminal and several streets in Picton yesterday morning.

A 25,000-litre tank was found to be leaking at a KiwiRail yard at the terminal, and an exclusion zone was set up as Fire and Emergency NZ was notified at 6.10am.

KiwiRail confirmed the LPG gas leak was found on a truck and trailer unit in their railway yard, and ferries were delayed while technicians isolated the fault so clearance could be given. A FENZ spokeswoman said port staff were evacuating the port.

Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn said they had been running ‘‘limited operations’’ while crews assessed the severity of the leak ‘‘and potential repair options’’.

However, shipping and port operations were able to resume by 9.45am. Bluebridge’s Straitsman had been able to leave Picton for Wellington.

NZ Transport Agency said the gas leak prompted the closure of Lagoon Rd, Auckland St from Dublin St to the ferry terminal, and London Quay from High St to Auckland St. These roads had reopened by 10am.

Marlborough District Council harbourmaster Luke Grogan said cruise ship Seabourne Encore was anchored off Picton harbour about 6.30am, but passengers were able to disembark by tender.

They had been working with the port and FENZ to make sure it was safe for shipping movements to occur, he said about 9.30am.

Two crews from Picton, two crews from Blenheim and the Nelson Hazmat truck were dispatched to the scene.

A police spokeswoman had people to avoid the area.

Picton Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Wayne Wytenburg said they needed to ‘‘disperse’’ the gas before it was safe for port and shipping operations to resume. advised