Rena update #157

Rena #157

Salvage

Aerial observation flights and a visit by boat to Rena today by salvage experts confirm no change to the state of the wreck.

There are currently 2.5-3m swells around Rena – this is expected to ease over the next few days.

The Svitzer salvage dive team is on standby to go down and assess the condition of the submerged stern, when conditions allow. The current sea state, combined with the dangerous state of the wreck, is preventing dive operations at this stage. The dive inspection will confirm the state of the stern and will guide the next steps in the salvage operation.

Container recovery

More than 150 responders have been assisting in the Braemar Howells-led container and debris recovery operations today.

12 vessels, including specialist tugs, barges and rapid response vessels have been on water today corralling and collecting containers and debris. These operations have focused on areas north west of the Astrolabe Reef and north of Motiti Island, as well as near Waihi Beach.

Six containers have been removed from Waihi Beach with another 10 between Bowentown and just north of Waihi Beach still to be removed.

11 containers will be removed from Matakana Island as soon as possible.

Braemar Howells reports very little debris came ashore overnight – due in large part to the on-water recovery efforts targeting the debris fields yesterday.

Oil spill response

Aerial observation flight this afternoon confirmed around 12 patches of sheen, each measuring approximately 100m by 50m. Dark patches of oil were visible within these patches.

Observers noted these patches of oil appeared to be breaking down naturally in the swell.

Current trajectory modelling predicts oil is likely to reach beaches at Little Waihi and Pukehina from tomorrow evening. However, trajectory modelling is based only on the prevailing conditions and can change – modelling is being regularly updated and we will let you know if this trajectory changes.

Protective booms have been put in place at Maketu and Little Waihi.

A shoreline clean-up assessment team has worked from Te Tumu to Maketu today and found no evidence of fresh oil coming ashore.

Oil spill response teams have been working at Mount Maunganui, Leisure Island and Matakana Island, cleaning residual oil that came ashore during the recent stormy weather. This oil is not the result of the recent release from Rena.

Oiled wildlife response teams scouring beaches for affected wildlife today found one oiled penguin. The penguin was taken to the oiled wildlife facility at Te Maunga. Currently, there are six little blue penguins in care at the Te Maunga facility. There are 22 little blue penguins, two fluttering shearwaters and one dotterel in care at Massey University in Palmerston North, where they were taken when the Te Maunga facility was wound down. These birds will be released back into the Bay of Plenty when their habitats are ready for their return.

Members of the public wanting to assist with the clean-up should visit www.bop.govt.nz/oilspillvolunteers. Around 95 volunteers assisted with the clean-up on Waihi Beach today, which was hugely appreciated.

Beach-goers concerned about the safety of swimming should refer to the local surf lifesaving club for guidance. The surf lifesavers regularly undertake detailed assessments of their stretches of beach and are best placed to offer advice on safe areas for swimming. When in doubt, swim between the flags.

Maritime New Zealand oil spill response media team
www.maritimenz.govt.nz

ENDS