The Rena has moved further on to the Astrolabe reef which has stabilized the vessel and may allow salvage teams time to pump off the remaining oil and diesel fuel on board. The Rena now is listing at 22 degrees to starboard with its starboard railing at or below the waterline. Oil recovery may begin the next day as salvage crews begin to setup equipment. Reports state the team will attempt to empty the largest oil tank of 700 tons then move on to the smaller 350 to 400 ton tank. Some 55 out of the 88 containers have been located or ashore. Authorities state that the containers will be collected on Motiti Island.
Eleven of the Rena crew have quit and have boarded flights back to the Philippines. This leaves only 6 crewmen behind including the Captain and Second Mate who both have been charged in court. A growing anger towards the crew has started an anti-Filipinos sentiment in the communities impacted by the oil spill.
Response and Cleanup
The total number of containers fallen into the sea is up to 88. One containing alkyl sulfonic acid has fallen into the sea causing greater concern of the toxic substances on board the Rena. The acid can have a long lasting impact to the environment as it slow to biodegrade. Some 50 tons of solid wastes from the oil spill has been recovered. Over 1500 volunteers are helping in the process.
Three tugs are positioned around the stern of the Rena if the ship begins to break up. If the vessel’s stern stays afloat, the tugs could drag the portion of the vessel closer to port to allow more oil to be recovered. If the vessel capsizes or sinks, there is little the tugs can do.
Rena at 20 Degrees
The Rena is now positioned some 20 degrees to starboard and is expected to breakup as the crack in the number three hold widens. The remaining oil on Rena is located in the stern of the vessel in a watertight compartment. There is some concern that this compartment would split open when the vessel breaks up. Another concern is the vessel could capsize sending all the containers on deck into the sea. With several containers containing toxic substances, this could pose another risk to the wildlife and environment.
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.
