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Rena Update

Rena Update

Maritime New Zealand Update

Rena is settled on the reef, but is moving around a little with high tides. The next tide is at 9am. The salvage master and the head of the MNZ salvage unit are going out at first light to do an observation flight. They will make an assessment of the vessel and a plan will be developed to get the salvage crew back on board the vessel if it can be done safely. Human safety must be the priority and no action will be taken that will put lives at risk.

The second officer will appear in Tauranga District Court this morning facing one charge laid by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act (MTA) 1994, “for operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk”.

Yesterday, 17 kilometres of coastline was cleaned of oil. Clean-up teams have so far collected 50 tonnes of solid waste and 5 tonnes of liquid waste. Today the coastline from Whangamata to Whakatane will be assessed by the SCAT (Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Team) to determine the areas of highest priority for cleanup. The teams will then work methodically through the affected areas. There is a massive operation underway today with around 500 responders on the beach.

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Rena Expected to Breakup Soon

Rena Expected to Breakup Soon

From Maritime New Zealand

Rena has suffered substantial structural failure, with a crack appearing in the number three cargo hold on the starboard side. This has been caused by the movement of the vessel as the stern, which has remained afloat, shifting with the waves, while the front part of the ship remains stuck on the reef.

There is a concern that the stern of the vessel may break away. The salvors have three tugs mobilised either to hold the stern on the reef while further effort is made to remove the oil, or to tow the stern to shallow water where they will remove the oil. Naval architects are working on possible scenarios. Iwi are also involved in advising on any cultural issues regarding moving or sinking the ship.

A number of containers have now come off the vessel. Those remaining continue to move, making it extremely dangerous for salvage crews to work on board. Six vessels have been mobilised to intercept the drifting debris in the water.

There will be substantial oil on the beaches, in the water and on the foreshore. This is expected to result in around 10,000 tonnes of sandy waste. There are 20 teams on the beaches, comprising about 250 people, cleaning up the oil. Four vessels are in the harbour to deal with any oil that may enter the area

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Hope Fades For The Rena

Hope Fades For The Rena

The Rena appears to have suffered structual damage and most likely will break-in-two unless salvors can make immediate repairs.  The Rena developed a massive crack along its midsection of the hull after strong winds and 5 meter swells battered against the container ship.  Seventy or more containers have broken free and have now begun to wash ashore.  One container has been spotted spewing a trail of toxic blue and smoke.   Many more containers on the vessel are damaged making the situation more dangerous for the salvage crew.   Reports also state that even greater amounts of oil has started to come ashore along the shorelines around Tauranga, Motiti Island and the surrounding area. 

Raw Video footage from tvnz.co.nz

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