Rena Work Mainly Container Removal

Four containers were taken off the grounded container vessel Rena near New Zealand on 12th December 2011, taking the total number removed by Svitzer to 206. Skimming of oil from the starboard number 5 fuel tank continued yesterday, as did internal work fitting patches to improve buoyancy of the wreck. This work will continue on Tuesday 13th December 2011. 

Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams will be working around Pâpâmoa and Maketû Spit. Warm water rock washing continues at Mauâo and Matakana today. Clean-up teams will also be working around the Mount looking for oil on Leisure Island and the beaches along Mt Maunganui.

 

Iwi volunteers will be working around Pilot Bay, with the aim of signing off operations in that area. Salvors identified an issue with the crane operation on Smit Borneo yesterday. To address the issue the crane requires a modification, and it is unlikely any containers will be removed today while this modification is underway.

 

There are currently north east winds of around 10-15 knots out at the Astrolabe Reef, and the sea state has reduced from yesterday. However, the wind is forecast to rise to around 10-20 knots and continue increasing until Thursday, when a front is forecast to come through.

 

Braemar Howells has received reports of container debris at Te Kaha and has dispatched teams to follow these reports up today. Teams will be working on Môtîtî Island removing debris and oiled waste.

Releases of birds from the oiled wildlife facility continue. 107 penguins and 2 dotterels remain in care at the centre.