Boaties advised to steer clear of giant Rena barge

13 March 2014

Boaties have been advised to steer clear of anchors and wires as a barge the size of a football field anchors south of Sulphur Point wharf from tonight.

The 100x30m barge RMG1000, one of the largest barges to visit Tauranga, is temporarily anchored one cable due south of Sulphur Point wharf after bringing sections of the wreck of the Rena’s accommodation block into shore. The ‘house’ will be chopped up and sent for recycling.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster Jennifer Roberts said the large barge will be moored with multiple anchors and wires, with two additional wire ropes to the shore.

“Each anchor is marked with a large orange buoy, lit at night with a blue strobe. The wires are marked with floating line that has orange floats and blue strobe lights fitted at 20m intervals, so it is very visible,” she said.

The size of the barge and its anchor wires means it could be hazardous for other boats and boat owners using the water are advised to keep well away.

The two nautical mile exclusion zone around the wreck is still in place.

ENDS

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