Rena update (update 142)
2 January 2012 - 10.30AM
Weather and sea conditions mean that no containers were removed from Rena yesterday and none will be removed today.
Salvage
- No vessels are currently alongside the Rena
- The overflight this morning shows no visible changes to the Rena overnight
- As confirmed yesterday, the Rena is now effectively in two pieces but she is still firmly grounded on the reef and may be still joined underneath
- Divers will examine the undersides once weather and sea conditions improve probably today
- Light oil sheens have still been seen coming from the bow and stern of the ship
- An unknown quantity of oil remains on the ship
- Salvors will continue to monitor the state of the Rena
Container recovery
- 9 further containers have been misplaced - they could be crushed within #3 hold or lost overboard
- 2 containers are known to have washed overboard and one has been found
- Two teams will be cleaning beach areas today and one team is heading to Motiti
Oil spill response
- Storm conditions have washed up debris on to the beaches but no significant fresh oil has been reported
- Some weathered oil has washed up near the Kaituna cut but other beaches look relatively clear
- Shoreline assessment teams and clean up teams remain on call
- Contractors will resume the clean up from Wednesday this week
- Storm debris will be removed from high use beaches so the beach groomers can clean any weathered oil from the sand
- Community groups continue with their Adopt a Beach schemes to clean local areas
Wildlife
- Many birds have been found on the coast and harbour shorelines but most of this is weather related and is normal for this time of the year with many young birds around
- 5 oiled little blue penguins have been collected over the past two days - the four live birds will be treated and sent to the Wildlife Recovery Centre later this week
- 2 diving petrels were found lightly oiled and will be treated and fed at a facility in Tauranga
- 17 penguins, 1 dotterel and 2 grey faced petrels are in care at the Massey facility in Palmerston North
- A team will travel to Motiti today to monitor wildlife there for the rest of the week
- Two teams worked last night around Mauao and Leisure Island checking on penguins and found one oiled bird
Weather
- Currently SW 10 to 20 knots, 1 to 2 metre northerly swell and good visibility
- The weather has eased from the north and turned through to the south
- Residual swell from the north remains