New Zealand Beaches Open, Still Work to Do

Beach access restrictions in north New Zealand will officially be lifted between Mount Maunganui and Maketu Estuary from 6am on Wednesday 16 November 2011. However, the Rena spill clean-up effort is by no means over, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says. National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said the efforts of volunteers and clean-up teams had allowed most operational restrictions to be lifted, but restrictions remained in place east of Harrison's Cut to Alexandra Place, and at Maketu Spit. 

At the Wildlife Response Centre, just two birds in care are yet to be washed and the collection of freshly oiled birds is slowing down.

 

National Oiled Wildlife Response Team Coordinator Helen McConnell said birds would not be released until they are deemed fit and healthy, and the environment is safe for them to return to.

 

North-easterly swells have prevented the removal of containers from the cargo ship Rena today and salvors are currently working to relocate crane barge Sea Tow 60  to the more sheltered port side. MNZ Salvage Manager Kenny Crawford said that salvors are taking all precautions possible to ensure the safety of themselves and their working environment, but this operation is heavily dependent on the weather.

 

Once containers are removed from the grounded Rena they will be transferred to a shuttle barge before being brought into port, where they will be assessed and processed by specialist container recovery company Braemar Howells. They will then be processed in line with environmental regulations at one of two on-shore processing sites at Truman Lane and Harrison's Cut.