Relatively calm weather has allowed
on-going pumping of oil from the vessel Rena today, while clean-up operations
continue at various points along the coastline.
There have been no significant leaks of
fresh oil from Rena for 11 days, which means that most of the oil coming ashore
is remobilised oil – oil that has come in, washed out and then come ashore
again with the tide.
The amount of oil removed from Rena in
the past 24 hours will be provided later this afternoon. As of yesterday
afternoon 171 tonnes had been transferred from the largest (772 tonne) tank to
the tanker Awanuia.
MNZ Salvage Unit Manager Bruce Anderson
said pumping had been at varying rates, but the salvors were making steady
progress.
The clean-up events today are occurring
at 5 main points along about 30km of coastline, with the remotest at Waihau Bay,
about 200km from Tauranga.
”Initially there was frustration – and
of course anger that this happened. Two weeks on there’s still plenty of ‘how
and why’ but also a reluctant acceptance and, most significantly, a
determination to fix it.
“That attitude is going to be the key
to clean beaches when the last of the oil has come ashore. We’re limited at
present, because there’s no point going too far below the sand surface, given
the possibility of significant further contamination.”
Volunteers are advised a day in advance
where to go and when. They are then trained in how best to collect the oil and
then go to their designated area with a group leader, usually for about four
hours.
Mr de Monchy said people should not be
disappointed if they are not immediately called into action.
“We are extremely grateful – be assured
your time will come.”
National On Scene Commander Alex van
Wijngaarden urged people to heed public health warnings, even if they can’t see
oil.
“Don’t swim, don’t catch fish from
contaminated areas and don’t take shellfish because there will still be
residual oil in the environment - and don’t touch the contents of beached
containers, because if they contain perishables they are going to be an extreme
health risk.
“Similarly, boaties need to heed
navigation hazard warnings, because there are still about 40 containers
unaccounted for. We know some or many of them will have sunk, but some may be
floating or partially submerged and these obviously represent a significant
hazard to all vessels, but particularly relatively small pleasure craft.”
Source: Maritime New
Zealand
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