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Rena Update 2

Rena Update 2

Oil Pollution Update
The Rena has released more oil and has formed an oil slick some 12 kilometers long and 500 meters wide.   At least 100 tons of oil was released came from a ruptured tank and it is possible more oil will be released in the following days.  Oil booms and other equipment have yet to be deployed around the Rena.   Skimmers and other equipment  are designed to operate in calm seas only.   Unfortunately, the fair weather is not expected to last. Latest forecasts predict 25-knot winds with one meter swells in the next few days.  Reports state that residents should expect to see some oil to come ashore.

 

Photo: A diver resurfaces from inspecting the Rena. (stuff.co.nz)

 

A news release states lightering operations will begin on October 10 with the focus of removing the heavy oil and diesel fuel from the Rena first.   A naval architect is expected on scene and to evaluate if any other cargo will need to be lightered off the vessel before salvage can begin.   The tugboat Waka Kume out of Auckland has been charted to assist in the salvage operation.   The tug is expected to be on scene by the next day.
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Rena Update

Rena Update

Oil Slick

Photo: Sunlive.co.nz

Pollution Update

Heavy fuel oil has leaked from the container ship Rena and an oil slick stretches some 1500 to 2000 meters from the vessel.  Attempts to use oil dispersants have failed to breakup the oil slick.   Authorities are preparing  equipment to scoop-up the oil from the water surface.  Other equipment will arrive to prepare for a potential shoreline cleanup.   The amount of oil released is not known, but divers confirmed that fuel tanks were still intact with the majority of the 1700 cubic meters of fuel oil was still held within them.  Reports state several dead birds have been found near the site coated in oil.  A 1 kilometer exclusion zone has been place around the site.

Video of the oil slick

Salvage Company Selected

The salvage company Svitzer has been chosen to begin salvage operations on the Rena.   Svitzer, based in Denmark, have not disclosed when they will begin operations.   More information can be found on their website: http://www.svitzer.com/

 

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Rena Aground

Rena Aground

The 236 meter long, 47230 dwt container ship Rena went aground on the Astrolabe Reef north of Motiti Island near the Tauranga Harbor, New Zealand.   The freighter has suffered significant damage with two cargo holds flooded and the vessel has developed a 12 degree list.  Pumps are in use to keep the water out of the holds.  None of the 25 crew on board were injured.  The heavy fuel oil tanks were undamaged, but the fuel is being transferred from the port to starboard side as a preventive measure.   Some hydraulic oil has been released.   Authorities have deployed a team of trained pollution control responders to the scene.

Link to a video of the grounding

Another video of the grounding

Update 1

Reports state the Rena had been detained in port recently.  In August, the Rena was in Freemantle, Australia and was detained because of defective hatchway covers and improper cargo storage.

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