Friday, 16th December, 2011
Tauranga, New Zealand

MEDIA UPDATE FROM BRAEMAR HOWELLS

Environmental cleanup specialist Braemar Howells has asked the public to continue supporting the container and debris recovery efforts - as beaches get busier in the lead up to Christmas.

Braemar Operations Manager NZ Neil Lloyd says that to date, Braemar teams have recovered more than 200 tonnes of debris from coastal areas as far away as Hicks Bay on East Cape, in preparation for the holiday season and to help ensure the beaches and coastal waters are as debris free as possible.

So far the Braemar recovery team has investigated over 50 reported sightings of containers or wreckage from the stricken ship, and about 80% of these have turned out to be from Rena. Whilst marine operations have conducted sonar searches of the shoreline to check for any Rena cargo, Neil Lloyd is asking people to enjoy the holiday season but continue to report any suspicious objects or debris they see floating or washed in - by phoning 0800- 645 774 (0800 OIL SPILL).

He says for safety reasons beachgoers and boaties are advised not to touch any ‘unidentified floating objects’ (UFO’s) or beached debris, but to phone the SPILL line immediately and relay as much information as possible - so a suitable response can be made.

In the meantime, Braemar has taken steps to provide shoreline teams with some safety equipment and advise them on how to deal with any minor Rena debris they spot. Surf clubs between Mt Maunganui and Maketu have been given Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) packs which contain gloves, face masks, grabbers and plastic bags – for any small items found.

While container recovery from the ship to the Port of Tauranga has been held up by weather and technical issues, shoreline work to recover debris has continued on Motiti, White Island and East Cape.

Neil Lloyd says preparations are continuing aboard Rena with the salvors making excellent progress in extremely difficult conditions and container recovery operations will resume as soon as the weather permits.

Container Status Report (14/12/2011):

On board or offshore (not yet recovered to port) 1079
Containers estimated as lost overboard (changed due to containers thought lost - found on board) 86
Containers with known locations 33
Containers recovered from shore 23

Containers on shore being recovered 2
Containers located by sonar 8
Estimated unlocated / unknown containers 53
Containers removed from Rena and recovered to port 203
Containers processed at Truman Lane 38
Recovered cargo 864 Tonnes
Re-used/ recycled 84 tonnes

NOTE: These numbers are subject to frequent change.

Background: Braemar Howells was appointed on 12th October by the vessel’s P&I Insurers, the Swedish Club.

Braemar Howell’s role includes:

1. removal of containers, intact and otherwise, and cargo debris from the shore line
2. capture and recovery of floating/drifting containers and cargo debris
3. sub-surface search for sunken containers and recovery (where safe and possible to do so)
4. decontamination of oiled containers and disposal of any perished cargo

© Scoop Media