Rena grounding update

The oil spill response team based in Tauranga is currently conducting an on-water assessment of the oil slick from the cargo vessel Rena.

A Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Maritime Safety Inspector on board the ship has confirmed oil is still leaking from the vessel.

An aerial observation flight this morning identified the slick, which stretches from 1500 to 2000 metres from the vessel in a narrow ribbon.

An assessment team has now gone to the area in a vessel to conduct a closer analysis.

The team will also conduct dispersant field tests to assess the potential effectiveness of a dispersant operation. If the tests are successful, it is likely a dispersant operation will be launched this afternoon.

National On Scene Commander Rob Service said the on-water assessment would provide a clearer picture of what the oil spill response team was dealing with.

A dispersant operation would be a viable option if it was found there was a significant amount of oil in the water. Dispersant works by diluting the oil in the water and assisting its natural breakdown.

Mr Service said dispersant operations were only undertaken after careful consideration of the impact on the environment.

The 236m cargo vessel struck the Astrolabe Reef, near Tauranga Harbour, around 2.20am yesterday. The Astrolabe Reef is about 4 nautical miles north of Motiti Island (about 12 nautical miles off the coast).

Around 25 members of the team arrived in Tauranga yesterday, working with members of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and other environmental agencies.

Supplies from the national oil spill response equipment stockpile arrived in Tauranga overnight and have been readied for deployment this morning.

A wildlife response plan is now in action, with specialist oiled wildlife wash and rehabilitation equipment mobilised and underway from Massey University.

The equipment is due to arrive in Tauranga this afternoon, and a wildlife centre will be set up.

Mr Service said wildlife teams were on standby to join those already in Tauranga to assist with field monitoring and response if and when required.

Please see incident page for more information, questions and answers, fly-over images of the site and information on New Zealand’s oil spill response system.

For further information please call the MNZ Media line on 04 499 7318 or Bay of Plenty Regional Council Community Relations Manager Bronwyn Campbell on 021 287 9380.

Updates will be provided as new information comes to hand.