Rena update (update 143)
4 January 2012 - 10.00AM
Salvors continue to assess the damage to the Rena caused by the recent bad weather but the vessel remains in a stable condition.
Salvage
- 8 containers were discharged from the aft section of the vessel yesterday
- Salvors continue to assess the damage caused by the recent bad weather
- The ship remains in a stable condition
- Residual swell means that divers have not been able to inspect the undersides of the vessel. This will only occur when conditions are safe for them to enter the water
Containers
- 7 containers in good condition were brought ashore by Go Canopus
- The contents were mainly timber and furniture with one containing milk powder
- 357 containers have now been landed with over 900 either remaining on the ship or misplaced
- Crews are removing container debris from beaches in the Papamoa to Maketu areas
- Crews have collected milk packets and containers from Motiti
- Further debris clean ups will occur today at Motiti and from Papamoa to Maketu
Oil spill response
- Shoreline assessment teams will continue their inspections of beaches along the western Bay of Plenty coastline
- Beaches from Mount Maunganui to Clyde Street appear relatively clear of oil
- 10 contractors are working in the Papamoa area today collecting any oil from the beach
Wildlife
- 3 oiled little blue penguins were collected yesterday - one each from Motiti, the Mount and Papamoa
- the Motiti field team will continue monitoring the condition of wildlife there for the rest of the week
- The Massey Wildlife Centre is now holding 20 live birds (17 little blue penguins, 1 dotterel and 2 grey faced petrels)
- The wildlife facility at Te Maunga is being demobilised with less wildlife being collected
- A wildlife crew will check birds on Rabbit Island tonight if the weather is suitable
Weather
- light north to north west winds are expected through to Friday
- The swell is expected to rise on Sunday evening
- Slight seas with one metre swell easing today