Rena Broken, Oil and Debris Washing Ashore

The cargo vessel Rena, grounded on Astrolabe Reef near New Zealand, broke in two pieces in the night of 7th and 8th January 2012 due to severe weather conditions. Both sections of the Rena remain on the Astrolabe Reef but sea conditions have prevented salvors from boarding either part of the vessel on Monday 9th January. This break caused oil and containers to be released and washed ashore of Waihi Beach. 

 

There has not been a release of a huge amount of oil but it is unknown how much oil is left in the vessel. Oil spill responders have cleaned up oil on the Mount, the Main Beach and at Leisure Island. Two vessels are being readied for on-water oil collection in the harbour if this is required. Oil spill response will be mounted at Waihi Beach if oil comes ashore. Teams from the Oiled Wildlife Response Unit have patrolled Matakana Island, the Main Beach from the Mount to Papamoa, and on Motiti Island. No birds have been found on Matakana or Motiti Islands. Two oiled birds were collected on the Main Beach.

 

Night patrols will continue tonight, checking for oiled wildlife.

 

Operations to collect debris from containers have continued at Waihi Beach all day. Twelve containers are known to have come ashore, at Waihi Beach, Bowentown Heads and on Matakana Island, and these will be removed as soon as conditions permit. Oily debris washed ashore on the Main Beach at Tay St today, and has been removed.

 

A three nautical mile exclusion zone has been established around the Rena, along with a 1500 feet aerial exclusion zone. This is to ensure the safety of shipping and aircraft, and enable response operations to continue unhindered by civilian sea and air movements. Any changes to the exclusion zone will be decided by the Bay of Plenty Harbourmaster.

 

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