Rena update (update 175)

20 January 2012 - 9.00AM

Four containers were removed from the bow section of Rena yesterday.

Salvage

• Salvors are planning to remove further containers today
• Helicopters will be used to lift more milk powder from the bow today.
• There has been no change to status of the wreck.
• The weather out at the site is good with relatively calm seas
• Divers are continuing to assess the state of the aft part of the vessel.
• Dive conditions remain difficult and are subject to change as sea conditions alter.

Containers

• The Braemar team has dragged a container ashore at Anzac Bay, Bowentown Heads, and it will be unloaded today
• Cleanup is continuing at Waihi Beach where more sheets of wood have come ashore at the northern end near the surf club.
• A labour team was despatched last evening to tackle debris which had come ashore at Whangaparoa on the East Cape.

Oil

• Assesments were undertaken off White Island, Moutohora (Whale Island) and the Mount, where no significant oil was found.

Wildlife

• A wildlife team was dispatched to the Eastern Bay of Plenty in response to reports of dead birds on beaches. These have been scanned to see if they have previously been micro-chipped.
• A number of birds have been sent to Massey for autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Updates

• There will be one update a day over the weekend, these are planned for midday release.
• Next media conference will be Thursday 26 January, 3pm at the ICC.