Salvors to start removing cargo from MV Rena
November 15, 2011
Salvors aboard the cargo ship The Rena will soon finish removing oil from the stranded vessel and focus their efforts on its cargo.
The Rena caused New Zealand’s worst environmental crisis after it ran aground on Astrolabe Reef, off Tauranga, a month ago, leaking hundreds of tonnes of oil.
With hazardous debris clogging the water, many coastal businesses have had to virtually shut down.
Maritime New Zealand’s Salvage Unit Manager Arthur Jobard said yesterday that about 290 tonnes of oil has been pumped from The Rena’s number five starboard tank. He added that approximately 60 tonnes of oil still on board will be removed manually as it floats to the top of the water in the tank.
National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said a crane ship will today move alongside The Rena to begin removing the 1280 containers it is carrying.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce noted the crane ship can only remove about six containers a day, so it could take longer than seven months for all the cargo to be removed.
The Rena was carrying 1368 containers when it ran aground on the Astrolabe reef off the coast of Tauranga on 5 October. Eighty-eight have since been lost overboard
Courtesy of IFW
