New Zealand: Rena to Face Worst Weather Since Grounding

Still grounded on Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga, off New Zealand’s North Island, the Rena is to face swells of up to seven meters forecasted for Sunday.

The Rena’s state is fragile but stable. Electronic sensors on board have not displayed any significant change. Divers have been prevented to inspect the underside of the vessel to determine whether the two parts of the vessel are still attached below the surface.

Containers on the bow of the vessel have been lashed down and those that are safely accessible have been fitted with location transponders ahead of the anticipated bad weather.

Yesterday 14 containers were removed from the no. 7 hold thus there are about 898 containers still on board Rena.

Sonar vessel located six potential containers that are to be inspected by camera.

Removal of the easiest-to-access containers from the no. 6 hold will be given priority today and the gas from the no. 5 will be pumped.

A patch of oil with a metallic sheen, some 10-30m wide and 3km long, extends reportedly from the vessel spreading towards the north.

[mappress]

World Maritime News Staff, January 5, 2012; Image: Maritime NZ