The 18 meter long, 48 ton trawler Philip V went aground near the mouth of the Waiapu River, Gisborne, New Zealand. The Philip V rests high and dry listing 30 degrees. The trawler will require the assistance of a tug to be refloated on the next high tide. The two crew men were uninjured and no signs of damage to the vessel. Authorities have booms and absorption pads on site in case any fuel spill.
Salvage Update
Latest reports state the Rena is predicted to breakup as conditions worsen. Weather forecasts have swells growing from 3 meters up to 5 meters. Salvage teams have also reported further buckling of the hull along the submerged starboard side just forward of the bridge.
Salvage teams are preparing for the worst. Tracking sensors are being attached to containers with additional tugs are ready to be deployed to recover any containers that fall into the sea. The tug Go Canopus is to stand by if the Rena breaks up. The Go Canopus would tow the stern to shallower water to allow futher oil removal.
Another Oil Spill?
Over 1000 tons of oil has been pumped off the Rena by the salvage team. However, this leaves about 360 tons to be removed from the submerged starboard No. 5 tank. Pumping operations stopped when heavy swells made it to dangerous to continue. Salvors were nearing completion of a cofferdam to access the the submerged tank. Reports state the salvage team sealed the tanks and air vents in case the Rena broke up. If the starboard tank maintains integrity, the risk should be minimal. However, if the tank ruptures, it could double the total oil spilled to 700 tons. Some oil sheen is expected as some oil trapped from duct keel is released. Rough seas are expected to dispurse some of the pollution.
The 133 meter long, 8015 dwt container ship Schelde Trader went aground near the entrance to Tauranga, New Zealand. The Schelde Trader was departing Tauranga when it suffered a power failure and lost steering. The current then carried the disabled vessel onto the rocks. Reports state the damage was slight and the vessel was refloated and taken back to harbour by the tug Te Matua. No reports of injuries or pollution being released. The Schelde Trader will be inspected and officials have stated there will be an investigation into the incident. The Schelde Trader had stopped in Tauranga to refuel and was headed to Noumea, New Caledonia. The grounding of the Schelde Trader is less than a month after the container ship Rena hit the Astrolabe Reef off the Tauranga coast.
