10 November 2011

Grounding off the coast of Tauranga : Last updated 10.30am : 10 November 2011

Rena update 86: 10 November 2011: 10.30am

Salvage:

  • Heavy fuel oil is being transferred from the number 5 starboard tank on the Rena to the tanker Awanuia, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) said
  • Salvors began pumping at 6pm yesterday, MNZ Salvage Unit Manager Arthur Jobard said.
  • By 7am they had removed 31 tonnes of oil and were exploring ways to speed up the rate of flow. This could include installing a 4th hot tap and / or adding other pumps.
  • Pumping is also underway to transfer the last of the lubricating oil from the Rena’s engine room storage tank to the Go Canopus.
Containers:

  • Contractors Braemar Howells are continuing to remove debris from containers washed up on Motiti Island, and will be working at Mount Maunganui and at Matakana Island today.
  • Braemar Howells has been contracted by Svitzer Salvage to recover containers and their contents washed overboard from the Rena in the storm 3 weeks ago. They have 2 vessels equipped with sonar, which are carrying out grid searches of the seabed, looking for sunken containers.
  • Anyone finding containers or debris is asked to call 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774) immediately.
Beach cleanup:

National On Scene Commander Rob Service said that shoreline assessments and clean-ups were continuing today, involving New Zealand Defence Force personnel, trained oil spill responders, iwi, contractors and volunteers.

Mr Service said that volunteers continued to make a valuable contribution to the oil spill response.
  • There are 2 volunteer clean-ups today, at Papamoa and Maketu, and
  • Volunteers are also supporting iwi on Matakana Island.
Wildlife:

  • 5 little blue penguins were brought in to the oiled wildlife facility after overnight patrols on Motuotau Island (Rabbit Island), bringing the total number of birds in care to 407.
  • Wildlife teams are patrolling again today, with 5 teams working between Waihi Beach and Opotiki, and on Motiti Island.
Source: Maritime New Zealand. 10 November 2011

No comments: