New Zealand: State of Stricken Rena Remains Uncertain

The state of the stricken Rena remains uncertain and it has been stuck on Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga for nearly three months.

Due to poor weather conditions divers have not been able to inspect the undersides of the vessel.

The ship is however in a stable condition and salvors continue to assess the damage caused by the recent bad weather.

Eight containers were discharged from the vessel yesterday and seven containers were brought ashore by the vessel Go Canopus. This means 357 containers have now been landed and over 900 is still on the ship or misplaced.

Crews keep removing container debris from beaches in the Papamoa to Maketu areas and have also collected milk packets and containers from Motiti Island.

Approximately 350 tons of oil and numerous containers were lost overboard as Rena ran aground on October 5, 2011.

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World Maritime News Staff, January 4, 2012; Image: Maritime NZ