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Owner Sorry, Crew Quits

Owner Sorry, Crew Quits

Owners Statement


11 Crew Quit

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.

 

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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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