Rena buckling in the storm

Rena remains in one piece, but the storm is having an impact on her condition with new buckling to its hull observed this morning by Maritime New Zealand.

Its salvage unit manager, Bruce Anderson, says the buckling is further back from the main cracks in the hull, and is just forward of the bridge on its starboard side.


No-one is aboard Rena as a storm batters the vessel, stranded on the Astrolabe Reef since October 5.

'The situation is looking increasingly precarious and we are preparing for the worst,” says Bruce.

'The worst of the weather is due to hit around midnight tonight – we are continuing to closely monitor the situation.”

Bruce says Go Canopus will attempt to tow the stern to shallower water if it breaks from the bow, however, the tug will only remain connected as long as it is safe to do so.

'Rena held up well through the bad weather two weeks ago, but we may not be so fortunate this time.”

Specialist container recovery company, Braemar Howells Ltd, has been contracted to deal with containers that may be released from Rena, and has four tugs on standby in Tauranga, with a further two on site monitoring Rena in case containers fall overboard.

'The team at Braemar is making every effort to ensure they are ready to corral and secure released containers.

'However, as always, safety is the priority and the poor weather means there will only be so much that can be done initially.”

There is an estimated 350 tonnes of oil remaining in the starboard tank, which is currently intact.

MNZ national on scene commander Mick Courtnell says the oil spill response team is in rapid response mode to mobilise when required.

He says a group of volunteers is also on alert and ready to assist.

'It has been an extraordinary effort to get as far as we have and remove over 1000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the ship, but we have always been at the mercy of the weather.

'The possibility of the ship breaking up has always been on the cards.

'We have everything in place to deal with further oil on the beaches and we urge those who have registered as volunteers to continue giving their support.”

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4 comments

Volunteers

Posted on 01-11-2011 12:39 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

I have noticed over the last week that when they put the call out for 200 volunteers are required at an area to clean up they have only been getting approx 30 each time. Please people the more there the quicker it is. You are doing a fantastic job. Thank you


Volunteers

Posted on 01-11-2011 13:01 | By gadstuff

I would also like to thank the volunteers cleaning beaches & also congratulate MNZ & the salvage teams working on Rena removing the heavy fuel oil under very dangerous conditions. You are all doing an exceptional job despite a lot of uninformed criticism.


gadstuff

Posted on 01-11-2011 14:32 | By jimmi

do not be to sure that the criticism is uninformed, alot of it directed at Maritime NZ, is warranted, and informed, and while I thank the salvage teams and others, Maritime NZ, deserves nothing!!!!, as it has been shown to be as inefficient and derilict in its duties as an English Rugby player.


by jimmi

Posted on 01-11-2011 20:04 | By gadstuff

I rest my case!!


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