Rena container count under 1000

There are fewer than 1000 containers still onboard Rena with salvors having a productive day on Thursday, lifting 42 from it.

This is the most containers to be removed from the ship grounded on the Astrolabe Reef since the first one was lifted from it on November 16.

However, the most containers to come off in one day was in October when an overnight storm washed 89 off the vessel.


See video below of Captain Drew Shannon talking about container lifting operations.

When Rena ran aground on the reef on October 5 it had 1368 containers onboard so with 89 washed off and 294 lifted by crane, there are 985 left to be removed.

Good weather at the reef is enabling the Svitzer salvors to work productively and they intend to work through Christmas.

Speaking to media on a boat trip to the Rena site, Svitzer salvage manager Captain Drew Shannon said work would continue on Christmas Day although a special lunch is planned.

This is to take place onboard the Smit Borneo crane barge where the Svitzer salvors are housed.

This barge, with accommodation space for 152 people, is the same vessel used to lift the containers from the Rena.

They are then transferred by crane to the Sea Tow 60 vessel to be brought ashore for container salvor Braemar Howells to attend to.


A little Christmas cheer is in place onboard the Rena for salvors to enjoy. Most of these workers are from overseas.

There is a Christmas break for Maritime New Zealand shoreline clean-up assessment teams as they stand down from duties today after an inspection at Papamoa.

During the holiday period a beach groomer is to work at Maketu Spit.

The Kulim Park wall is expected to be back in place today and this is the last day for warm water washing at Mount Maunganui.

There is a light sheen of oil still emanating from the Rena wreck – this measures about 5km in a northwest direction from the ship.

MNZ is reporting contingency plans are in place so an oil response can be ramped up quickly should the need arise. Operations are due to escalate again in the new year.

















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6 comments

Thanks and Merry Christmas

Posted on 23-12-2011 12:30 | By Calm Gully

Thanks to all the workers, have a Merry Christmas. Stay Safe!


MASSA KISSED!

Posted on 23-12-2011 14:59 | By MASSA KISSED

It is about five days left to the next storm and it is a goddie by the looks of it, listening to the long term weather forecast on the radio there could be 30-40 knot winds later next week. That and 5-6m swells maybe just enought to break up the RENA finally, especially with a lot of weight removed from the rear of the ship with some 383 odd containers now removed, perhaps 1,500 tonnes or so off the back end maybe enough to back that bit of a difference it needs to complete the break up, then it is a bit more shall we say 'flexible"!


THAT IS ONE BENT SHIP

Posted on 23-12-2011 18:43 | By SCARLET PIMPINEL

Only question remaining is when will it finally break off.


so

Posted on 23-12-2011 19:43 | By Capt_Kaveman

weather 89 recovery 42 the weather is holding keep them comn off everyday just think of it as wartime so xmas day is just another day


Spindoctoring ??

Posted on 26-12-2011 12:38 | By RORTSCAM

I reckon about another 50days if all goes well but remember what is left basically all below decks now and the salvage work will get a lot harder.


No further reports of work out there?

Posted on 28-12-2011 11:32 | By tmc

The last few days weather has been good enough to work in so has there been any further action out there? Great to see SunLive on the job through the break, how about the salvors? Lets hope this weather coming is enough to break it in half. At least having a decent wreck to dive on in a few years will be a bit of payback


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