The break-up of a stranded cargo ship on the Astrolabe Reef in New Zealand has triggered the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters. With cracks appearing the hull, and an estimate 1,900 tonnes of oil and diesel on-board, there is urgent need for aerial surveillance to minimize the impacts of a spill. Bad weather has impacted salvage efforts to refloat the ship, and shifting waves make recovery unlikely. The call goes out to satellite and aerial providers to assist in the detection of pollution.
