| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (25 min. 53 sec.) ; 156642692 bytes |
| Summary |
In an idyllic, crystal clear patch of the Pacific, locals are learning what goes down must come up - and they're told the consequences will be devastating. Lurking at the bottom of a giant blue lagoon - a pinprick in the enormous ocean expanse - is a huge, ticking, time bomb threatening very soon to disgorge tens of millions of litres of thick, black oil, destroying the environment and a fragile island economy. We know it will happen. Why isn't anyone moving quickly and decisively to stop it?It was one of the most dramatic and defining moments of a world at war. American fighter aircraft relentlessly strafing and bombing Japan's naval stronghold in the western Pacific. When it was over - and it was over in a relative flash - 200 thousand tonnes of Japan's mightiest sea power sat motionless on the bottom of what had been strategic bastion. 1000 Japanese personnel were killed. The lagoon floor was transformed into a macabre and haunting graveyard of ships, aircraft, trucks and tanks.Over time and as the horrors of war receded into history it became a must see for scuba divers the world over. A dreadful battleground became an undersea wonderland and the tourist traffic became a vital economic fillip for the islanders of who call Chuuk - a tiny smattering of Micronesia - home. Now, though, epic disaster threatens again. Within the rapidly rusting and deteriorating hulks lurk tonnes upon tonnes of thick black oil. It's estimated there may be hundreds of millions of litres down there and according to some of the world's best scientific knowhow, it's likely to be disgorged in the next few years. Or indeed anytime sooner that a storm fierce enough cracks the fragile steel shells."To compare the Exxon Valdez with the wrecks in Chuuk Lagoon is not stretching the bow too far because the Exxon Valdez was basically out in an open ocean environment or estuary area, Chuuk Lagoon is a coral reef system and to have the sudden release of thousands of tonnes of toxic oil sludge on these pristine shores would be utterly devastating and would ruin the whole island's economy for generations to come." - Ian McLeod, corrosion Expert WA MuseumBreaking this important environmental story for Foreign Correspondent, North Asia Correspondent Mark Willacy travels to Chuuk with bureau cameraman Jun Matsuzono and underwater filming specialist Matt Guest to expose the scale and imminence of the threat and the total lack of action to prevent the disaster."I think it will kill most of everything, because it can spread around the lagoon and kill things living on the shore, kill anything under the ocean, I think it kill everything. I think my heart will be broken. I think my heart will be devastated." - Gradvin Aisek, Chuuk dive-masterEven Japanese veterans of the attack believe action needs to be taken, particularly by their own government. But there's little sign of action and a solution is certainly beyond the economic wherewithal of the Chuuk administration. Perhaps there's a commercial solution? Enter laconic Queensland salvage expert Tony Turner to investigate the potential of a procedure known as 'hot-tapping' |
| Event |
Broadcast 2011-04-12 at 20:00:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: NC |
| Subject |
Lagoons.
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Natural disasters -- Safety measures.
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Oil spills -- Environmental aspects.
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Tankers -- Accidents.
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Underwater photography.
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Pacific Ocean.
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Streaming video
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| Author |
Aisek, Gradvin, contributor
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McLeod, Ian, contributor
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Simina, Wesley, contributor
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Turner, Tony, contributor
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Willacy, Mark, host
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