Salvage team continues removal of containers from stricken Rena
A total of 24 containers were removed from the Rena yesterday. This brings the total number of containers removed from Rena by Svitzer to 243, Maritime New Zealand reports.
Weather conditions for operations over the few days remain relatively good, with seas of .5m and sea breezes of 10-20 knots forecast, turning from easterlies to south easterlies and then north easterlies until Monday.
There has been no change to the status of the vessel, confirmed by diving surveys.
The total number of containers washed overboard from Rena now stands at 89, with one damaged container recovered yesterday.
247 containers have been processed and discharged by the container recovery specialists Braemar Howells Ltd.
This morning’s flight noted patches of oil, and a 3 km long metallic sheen about 20 metres wide heading northwest. Patches of rainbow sheen were visible for up to 7-8km off the western side of Motiti Island about half a kilometre from the coast. A SCAT team is checking Maketu spit and Papamoa beach today.
All operations, including warm water rock washing and rock scraping at Mauao, will continue today. A small team will check the area between Leisure Island and Tay Street on foot. Kulim Park's rock wall will be reassembled after being taken apart and cleaned yesterday. The beach groomer will be operating at Omanu and Papamoa East today, targeting the areas in front of the surf clubs and the main Mount beach. Teams are also on Motiti and Matakana Islands.
Three penguins were released at Leisure Island this morning, leaving 40 birds still in captivity. A check of Rabbit Island last night found no new oiled birds.
Svitzer is a leading provider of maritime services, specializing in towage, salvage and emergency response. The company operating over 500 vessels employes 4,500 staff in more than 40 countries.