[Notes:VO ----------COURTESY MARITIME NEW ZEALAND / LOCATION -- ASTROLABE REEF / OFF NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND]A CARGO VESSEL THAT BEGAN SPEWING OIL WHEN IT RAN AGROUND OFF THE COAST OF NEW ZEALAND SEVERAL MONTHS AGO IS NOW THREATENING TO CAUSE EVEN MORE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.THE VESSEL SPLIT IN TWO AFTER IT WAS POUNDED BY STORMY SEAS.AND THE BAD WEATHER ISN'T LIKELY TO LET UP FOR SEVERAL DAYS.SALVAGE CREWS HAVE ALREADY REMOVED MUCH OF THE SHIPS OIL -- BUT A LOT MORE REMAINS.AND THE OIL THAT HAS LEAKED HAS KILLED THOUSANDS OF BIRDS AND FOULED NUMEROUS BEACHES.IT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS NEW ZEALAND'S WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN HISTORY.AND INVESTIGATIONS BY A-P HAVE REVEALED THAT THE SHIP WAS IMPOUNDED BY AUSTRALIAN AUTHORITIES LAST SUMMER AND RELEASED A DAY LATER.THE SHIP IS GREEK-OWNED, BUT REGISTERED IN LIBERIA.AFTER IT WAS IMPOUNDED -- LIBERIAN OFFICIALS INTERVENED -- SAYING THE VESSEL WAS SAFE TO OPERATE AND THE PROBLEMS COULD BE FIXED LATER.NOW, HOWEVER --- THE SHIP'S CAPTAIN AND NAVIGATING OFFICER ARE FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES IN THE DISASTER.----------------------------THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.(****END****) VIDEO PRODUCER: NED BARKER---------------------------VIDEO SOURCE: MARITIME NEW ZEALAND-----------------------VIDEO APPROVAL: NED BARKER----------------------------VIDEO RESTRICTIONS: COURTESY----------------------------------MARKET EMBARGO (S): NONE--------------------------------SCRIPT/WIRE SOURCE:a0709222 asia sydBC-AS--New Zealand-Grounded Ship, 3rd Ld-Writ