Rena wreck: Weather hampers salvage operation
UPDATED: Billed a week ago as the country's “worst maritime environmental disaster,” the Rena wreck is now a straight-forward, albeit difficult, salvage job.
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UPDATED: Salvors are now back on board the vessel Rena carrying out general assessments of the ship’s status. A team of three salvors re-boarded the ship this morning, however, swell and weather conditions have not been favourable for restarting pumping of from the ship.
Billed a week ago as the country’s “worst maritime environmental disaster,” the Rena wreck is now a straight-forward, albeit difficult, salvage job.
However, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) warns the operation is now entering a critical phase, as unfavourable weather continues to affect the salvage efforts and the movement of the ship, which is stranded on a reef off the Bay of Plenty coast.
In latest developments:
• Rena remains intact and no containers have spilled for a third day
• Onshore cleanup activities have been scaled back and most beaches are clear of oil
• Birdlife centre has 18 new entrants.
MNZ's latest update says sensors on board the Rena have detected no significant movement overnight and salvors are working on a variety of plans to cover all eventualities, including if they are unable to get on board.
This includes preparing additional work platforms and pumping equipment.
Divers are also working on plans for accessing the starboard fuel tank of the vessel.
Strong winds of up to 35 knots (65km/h) and swells of 2-4m have hampered salvage efforts since Monday night and no salvors from Svitzer are on board. The weather has also prevented further pumping on to Awanuia.
To date, 88 containers from Rena have been lost overboard, with approximately 30 still unaccounted for. The remaining 58 containers have either landed ashore or been secured to buoys.
National on scene commander Ian Niblock says there have been no new reports overnight of oil on beaches, but teams will today clean up oil that came ashore late yesterday along a 3km stretch of beach near Harrison's Cut.
It's likely that there will be no other volunteer clean up today, given that beaches yesterday are largely clear of oil.
The Wildlife Response Centre received 18 new intakes yesterday, bringing the total number of animals being cared for to 253. Around 1290 dead birds and four dead animals have been identified.
NBR staff
Wed, 19 Oct 2011
Wed, 19 Oct 2011
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
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Rena wreck: Weather hampers salvage operation
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