Media releases 2012

Rena update (#218)
Salvors have made good progress through the week, although operations were suspended yesterday due to heavy swells around the wreck site making salvage activity unsafe. Svitzer advises the weather conditions are expected to be suitable for operations to resume today.
Friday, 11 May 2012

Seafort Holdings Ltd sentencing
A second high speed vessel operator charged after a passenger received serious back injuries has been sentenced in the Auckland District Court this afternoon, following a prosecution by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).
Monday, 7 May 2012

High speed operator sentenced
A high speed vessel operator's failure to investigate and address the causes of a series of serious back injuries to passengers has earned it a conviction, fines and reparation totalling $270,000, following a prosecution by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).
Monday, 7 May 2012

Rena update (#217)
Svitzer has continued to make good progress removing containers and debris from the Rena wreck over the past week.
Friday, 4 May 2012

Rena oil spill response transition
The National On Scene Commander has today reduced the emergency oil spill response to the Rena grounding from a Tier 3, or national level, to a Tier 2, or regional level response.
Friday, 4 May 2012

Rena update (#216)
Svitzer salvors have made good progress in removing containers and cargo from Rena throughout the week.
Friday, 27 April 2012

Rena update (#215)
Good progress has been made on salvage activities this week.
Friday, 20 April 2012

Rena update (#214)
An over flight by MNZ yesterday morning noted damage to the forward section bulkhead between No 2 and No 3 hold. It was evident that the bulkhead on the port side had failed and was open to the sea. This is expected given the gradual deterioration of the wreck and its exposure to the elements.
Friday, 13 April 2012

MNZ charges owner of Rena
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) has charged the owner of the cargo vessel Rena, following the ship's grounding on Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga on 5 October.
Thursday, 5 April 2012

Rena update (#213)
Debris from Rena has washed ashore at Tairua, in the Coromandel (see container and debris recovery section below).
Thursday, 5 April 2012

Rena update (#212)
MNZ and salvors report the aft section of the Rena has now sunk due to ongoing rough seas pounding the weakened structure. This was confirmed during a second overflight of the vessel about 4pm today.
Wednesday, 4 April 2012

Rena update (#211)
Waikato Regional Council staff have this morning checked Coromandel Beaches between Whiritoa and Whitianga, but have so far reported no sign of oil or debris coming ashore.
Wednesday, 4 April 2012

Rena update (#210)
Further to this afternoon's update, the oil spill response team has confirmed a small amount of oil is leaking from the wreck.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Rena update (#209)
Heavy swells hitting the wreck of the cargo ship Rena have resulted in further containers being released from a hold in the bow section, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Rena update (#208)
The Smit Borneo departed the wreck on Saturday due to poor weather conditions, and is likely to remain in port this week due to forecast bad weather from Tuesday through until Sunday.
Monday, 2 April 2012

Rena update (#207)
The crane barge Smit Borneo is positioned on the starboard side of the wreck.
Friday, 30 March 2012

Rena update (#206)
The crane barge Smit Borneo is now secured on the starboard side of the wreck to recommence salvage operations. Divers are in the water assisting with the recovery of debris from the seabed.
Monday, 26 March 2012

Rena update (#205)
A full team of 16 Svitzer salvors are on board Rena today, examining the damage resulting from Wednesday night's heavy weather event. It is likely to take some time to make this assessment.
Friday, 23 March 2012

Rena update (#204)
Maritime New Zealand is continuing to closely monitor the condition of the Rena, following recent deterioration of the front and rear sections of the wreck due to recent heavy weather.
Thursday, 22 March 2012

Rena update (#203)
Heavy weather in the Bay of Plenty over the past couple of days has resulted in a further deterioration of the stern and forward section of Rena. This has resulted in a release of an unknown number of containers, and a debris field trailing from the wreck site, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
Thursday, 22 March 2012

Rena update (#202)
There has been some additional movement in the vessel overnight. Note that more information will be made available later this morning as it comes to hand.
Thursday, 22 March 2012

Rena update (#201)
The weather forecast is for winds gusting at between 40 to 50 knots at the Astrolabe Reef for the next few days, easing on Thursday morning. Swells of up to 4m to 5m are also expected. These conditions will have an impact on salvage operations over the next several days.
Monday, 19 March 2012

Rena update (#200)
The crane barge Smit Borneo is now reconnected to Rena on the starboard side of the partially submerged stern section.
Friday, 16 March 2012

Rena update (#199)
The Smit Borneo has returned to the Rena wreck site and currently has 6 anchors secured in position.
Monday, 12 March 2012

Rena update (#198)
The Smit Borneo remained in port undergoing maintenance and general repairs as was the Go Canopus which was awaiting orders to return to wreck location.
Friday, 9 March 2012

Rena update (#197)
No salvage activity was undertaken over the weekend due to the weather conditions and the Smit Borneo being secured alongside at the port of Tauranga for maintenance.
Monday, 5 March 2012

Rena update (#196)
The heavy weather event forecast to hit the North Island overnight and tomorrow is expected to bring heavy seas to the Bay of Plenty. The forecast is for winds gusting up to 50 knots, and sea swells of over 5m on Saturday. The weather is forecast to ease on Sunday.
Friday, 2 March 2012

NZ updates search and rescue ties with Cook Islands
The updating of an agreement between New Zealand and the Cook Islands will help ensure greater communication and collaboration during search and rescue missions, says Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).
Thursday, 1 March 2012

Guilty pleas from Rena officers
The Master and Second Officer of the cargo vessel Rena today pleaded guilty to 10 out of the 11 charges laid by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) against the men following an investigation into the ship's grounding on the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga on 5 October.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012

Rena update (#195)
Operations over the weekend saw the number of containers recovered from Rena rise to 561.
Monday, 27 February 2012

Rena update (#194)
554 containers have now been recovered from Rena by Svitzer salvors and received ashore by the Braemar Howells container processing teams. A further 71 containers have been recovered from the water and shoreline - making a total of 625 now accounted for onshore.
Friday, 24 February 2012

Rena update (#193)
Over the weekend, a total of 8.5 containers were removed from the aft section of Rena. This includes 4.5 containers from hold 6 and 4 containers from hold 7.
Monday, 20 February 2012

Rena update (#192) - Last oiled birds released
Seven little blue penguins were released by the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team (NOWRT) this morning, marking the last major release of wildlife affected by the Rena oil spill.
Friday, 17 February 2012

Rena update (#191)
Good progress is currently being made by salvors in removing containers and debris from Rena.
Friday, 17 February 2012

Search for missing yachtsman suspended
The search for a yachtsman missing in the Bay of Plenty has this morning been suspended, after an extensive search over the last two days failed to find him.
Thursday, 16 February 2012

Update on search for missing yachtsman
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) tonight said that an aerial, land and on water search in the Bay of Plenty today has, despite extensive efforts, been unsuccessful in locating missing yachtsman Richard Rusbatch.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Update on search for missing yachtsman
An aerial, land and on water search is continuing in the Bay of Plenty this morning for missing yachtsman Richard Rusbatch.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Update on search for missing yachtsman
The Rescue Coordination Centre advised that overnight searching continued for missing yachtsman, 56 year old Russell Rusbatch and preparations are underway for continuing the search today.
Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Search for missing yachtsman continues
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is continuing the search for a missing yachtsman off the Bay of Plenty Coast.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Rena update (#190)
With diver assistance, a total of 8 containers were removed from the aft sunken section of the wreck over the weekend. All 8 containers were reported to be fully laden.
Monday, 13 February 2012

Rena update (#189)
Good progress continues to be made on container salvage operations. However, this is slow, labour-intensive work that involves the cutting and grinding of containers and removal of the contents by hand. This means an average of 1 container and its contents are being removed per day.
Friday, 10 February 2012

Rena update (#188)
Svitzer salvage teams yesterday focused on the labour-intensive task of emptying containers of wood on the bow section of the Rena, and preparing the bundles of timber for removal by helicopter.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Rena update (#187)
Work continued over the weekend on removing debris and parts of containers from the front section of Rena.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Rena update (#186)
Salvors have experienced a good week of progress in removing containers and debris from Rena.
Friday, 3 February 2012

Rena update (update 185)
The Svitzer salvage team yesterday removed four packets of wood via helicopter.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012

Rena update (update 184)
Salvors today plan to remove two 20 empty foot stock feed containers from the port side of the bow section using the crane barge Smit Borneo
Monday, 30 January 2012

Rena update (update 183)
Svitzer salvors yesterday removed eight empty containers from the bow section of Rena by sliding the containers into the water.
Friday, 27 January 2012

Rena update (update 182)
The removal of containers from the bow section of Rena remains the priority for the Svitzer salvage team.
Thursday, 26 January 2012

Rena update (update 181)
The priority for the Svitzer salvage team continues to be the removal of containers from the bow section of Rena.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Crew rescued after fishing boat sinks
A 406 MHz beacon alert from a fishing vessel was picked up 50 nautical miles (92 kilometres) north-east off the coast of Tauranga at 12 midday today by the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ).
Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Rena update (update 180)
Salvors yesterday removed four dangerous goods containers from the bow of Rena.
Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Rena update (update 179)
Six containers were removed from Rena on Saturday. No containers were removed yesterday (Sunday) after attempts to bring Smit Borneo in close to Rena were thwarted by the sea conditions.
Monday, 23 January 2012

Rena update (update 178)
The salvage observation flight this morning confirmed no significant change to the two sections of Rena.
Monday, 23 January 2012

Rena update (update 178)
The salvage observation flight this morning confirmed no significant change to the two sections of Rena.
Sunday, 22 January 2012

Rena update (update 177)
Nineteen containers were removed from Rena's bow yesterday.
Saturday, 21 January 2012

Rena update (update 176)
Salvors have been able to manoeuvre the Smit Borneo alongside the bow of Rena, allowing 13 containers to be lifted off the bow section..
Friday, 20 January 2012

Rena update (update 175)
Four containers were removed from the bow section of Rena yesterday.
Friday, 20 January 2012

Rena update (update 174)
Two empty Rena containers were pulled from the vessel by tug into the sea today then lifted by crane onto the recovery barge.
Thursday, 19 January 2012

Rena update (update 173)
Ten containers were removed from the bow of the Rena wreck yesterday.
Thursday, 19 January 2012

Rena update (update 172)
Removal of containers from the bow section of the Rena resumed today, the first time since it broke apart 10 days ago that sea conditions have allowed.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Rena update (update 171)
There is no significant change to the state of the Rena wreck. Good weather is forecast for the day.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012

Rena update (update 170)
Bags of debris were heli-lifted to a barge off Motiti Island today as the Rena clean-up continues..
Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Rena update (update 169)
There is no significant change to the state of the Rena wreck.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Rena update (update 168)
Divers today continued a full assessment of the state of the wreck of the Rena - its stability on the reef and general condition - as the first stage of working out what to do next.
Monday, 16 January 2012

Rena update (update 167)
Aerial observation flights to Rena this morning by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) and Svitzer salvors confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
Monday, 16 January 2012

Rena update (update 166)
Improving weather conditions have enabled steady progress to continue at the wreck of the Rena, says Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).
Sunday, 15 January 2012

Rena update (update 165)
Aerial observation flights to Rena this morning by Maritime New Zealand and Svitzer salvors confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
Sunday, 15 January 2012

Rena update (update 164)
Improved weather conditions today have enabled crane barge Smit Borneo to make its way back toward the wreck of the Rena, however it may be some time before container removal resumes or divers can undertake a survey of the sunken aft section, say Maritime New Zealand (MNZ)..
Saturday, 14 January 2012

Rena update (update 163)
Aerial observation flights and a visit to Rena today by Svitzer salvors confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
Saturday, 14 January 2012

Final media update: Jwong Woo 2
A United States Airforce (USAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft has arrived  from McMurdo station back in Christchurch with the 7 injured crew for further treatment as required. Three of the men are seriously injured.
Friday, 13 January 2012

Rena update (update 162)
Aerial observation flights and a visit to Rena today by Svitzer salvors confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
Friday, 13 January 2012

Aircraft departs with injured crew from the Jwong Woo 2
A United States Airforce (USAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft departed McMurdo station at 12.35pm today (NZDT) with the 7 injured crew on board. Three of the men are seriously injured.
Friday, 13 January 2012

Rena update (update 161)
Oil spill responders are continuing to scour beaches east of Maketu for oil predicted to strand overnight, but have so far found only a small amount of oiled debris, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
Friday, 13 January 2012

Update on the rescue of injured crew from the Jwong Woo 2
The USAF C-17 Globemaster III aircraft was unable to make its scheduled flight from Christchurch to McMurdo Base overnight because of weather conditions at the destination.
Friday, 13 January 2012

Rena update (update 160)
The MNZ salvage unit observation flight this morning has confirmed no significant change to the state of the two parts of the Rena.
Friday, 13 January 2012

Rena update (update 159)
Aerial observation flights and a visit by boat to Rena today by salvage experts confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
Thursday, 12 January 2012

Aircraft to assist in crew evacuation
A United States Airforce (USAF) C17 Globemaster III aircraft will leave Christchurch tonight to help recover seven crew injured in a fire on board the Korean fishing vessel Jeong Woo 2 in the Ross Sea early on Wednesday morning (NZDT).
Thursday, 12 January 2012

Rena update (update 158)
Swells around the Astrolabe Reef are continuing to prevent salvors from diving on the wreck to assess the damage caused through Rena's break-up and partial sinking of the stern, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
Thursday, 12 January 2012

Injured crew from Southern Ocean vessel transferred to US ship
The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has confirmed that injured crew from the burning Korean vessel Jeong Woo 2 have been transferred to the United States research vessel Nathaniel B Palmer.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Rena update (update 157)
Aerial observation flights and a visit by boat to Rena today by salvage experts confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Crew from southern ocean vessel have burn injuries
Two of the rescued crew members from the Jeong Woo 2 are believed to have extensive burn injuries and another five have less serious burns, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) says.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Rena update (update 156)
Booms are being placed at Maketū and Little Waihi Beach today in anticipation of any fresh oil washing ashore from the wreck of Rena, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Crew rescued from southern ocean vessel
Two Korean fishing vessels (Jeong Woo 3 and Hong Jin 707) are alongside and have evacuated crew from the Jeong Woo 2, the Korean fishing vessel on fire in the Southern Ocean, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) says.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012

RCCNZ coordinates southern ocean rescue
A Korean fishing vessel with 40 crew on board has issued a Mayday call from deep in the southern ocean, the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) says.
Wednesday, 11 January 2012

Rena update (update 155)
This update supplements the information was provided at today’s press conference, and will be the last information provided about the Rena response tonight.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Rena update (update 154)
The stern section of the MV Rena has remained perched on the edge of the Astrolabe Reef since 10am, with about 75 percent submerged, including the bridge.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Rena update (update 153)
The stern section of the MV Rena is perched on the edge of the Astrolabe Reef, with about 75 percent submerged and the remainder sticking up out of the water, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Rena update (update 152)
Most of the stern section of the MV Rena has slipped off the Astrolabe Reef.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Rena update (update 151)
Both sections of the Rena remain on the Astrolabe Reef but sea conditions have prevented salvors from boarding either part of the vessel today.
Monday, 9 January 2012

Rena update (update 150)
Four containers and a considerable amount of debris from the wreck of the MV Rena have washed up on Waihi Beach this morning, Maritime New Zealand says.
Monday, 9 January 2012

Rena update (update 149)
There have been no significant changes to the status of the vessel overnight
Monday, 9 January 2012

Rena update (update 148)
Communities along the Bay of Plenty coastline are being advised that container debris and oil from the wreck of the MV Rena is likely to begin coming ashore overnight and tomorrow, with a coordinated response ready to deal with whatever washes up, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.
Sunday, 8 January 2012

Rena update (update 147)
Severe weather overnight has separated the MV Rena into two pieces, which are now about 20-30m apart on the Astrolabe Reef, Maritime New Zealand says.
Sunday, 8 January 2012

Rena update (update 146)
There has been a significant change in the status of the Rena overnight, with the ship separated into two pieces that are now 20-30m apart.
Sunday, 8 January 2012

Rena update (update 145)
A total of 17 containers were removed from the no. 5 and 6 holds on Rena yesterday.
Friday, 6 January 2012

Rena update (update 144)
Salvors working on the Rena are preparing for severe bad weather expected to arrive on Saturday afternoon.
Thursday, 5 January 2012

Rena update (update 143)
Salvors continue to assess the damage to the Rena caused by the recent bad weather but the vessel remains in a stable condition.
Wednesday, 4 January 2012

Rena update (update 142)
Weather and sea conditions mean that no containers were removed from Rena yesterday and none will be removed today.
Monday, 2 January 2012

Rena update (update 141)
Large swells and wind overnight, on top of the heavy swells of the past few days, have caused further damage to the Rena.
Sunday, 1 January 2012