ALL media enquiries:
0800 774 554
(0800 SPILL INFO)
International media call:
+64 4 499 7318
Updated 3.00pm, 18 May 2012
All images in this gallery are available for re-use, provided the photographer or source is acknowledged.
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Salvors are working to remove aluminium ingots by cutting the tops off containers |
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Containers have been thrown around in some of the holds, making salvage difficult |
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Many of Rena's bulkheads have been destroyed by the sea |
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The sea can clearly be seen through a battered cargo hold |
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Containers are being cut apart by the salvors to access and remove the goods inside |
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The Smit Borneo and the bow section of the wreck |
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Crushed containers are proving difficult to remove from the wreck |
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Containers are being removed from the holds in the bow section |
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The stern section of Rena with the crane barge Smit Borneo in the background |
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Gaping holes can be seen on board the wreck |
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The bow section of Rena, still firmly aground on Astrolabe Reef |
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Salvors at work out on the wreck |
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Salvors working to cut up the container hatch covers |
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The Smit Borneo and Go Canopus as seen from the wreck |
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View of Rena's remaining bow section as seen from the morning observation flight. |
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View of Rena's remaining bow section as seen from the morning observation flight. |
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View of Rena with the stern section clearly missing from on top of the reef. |
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View of broken Rena with the stern section missing. |
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View of broken Rena with the stern section missing. |
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View of broken Rena with the stern section missing. |
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View of broken Rena in heavy sea swells. |
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View of broken Rena in heavy sea swells. |
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View of broken Rena in heavy sea swells. |
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View of broken Rena in heavy sea swells. |
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View of broken Rena in heavy sea swells. |
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View of broken Rena in heavy sea swells. |
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Heavy swells hitting the bow section of Rena. |
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Heavy swells hitting the bow section of Rena. |
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A broken Rena on the Astolabe Reef as seen during an observation flight this morning. |
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A broken Rena on the Astolabe Reef as seen during an observation flight this morning. |
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Bulkheads on the stern section have been damaged by heavy seas |
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Debris have been released following six metre swells overnight |
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Containers have been released from the stern section after the wreck deteriorated |
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Bulkheads on the stern section have been damaged by heavy seas |
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Large swells have been pounding the wreck |
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The stern section has deteriorated over the past 24 hours |
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The wreck as seen from deck level |
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The wreck as viewed from the helipad, with the Smit Borneo in the background |
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Salvors leaving the wreck site via a purpose built helipad |
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Hatch covers can be seen chained to the deck to prevent them falling overboard |
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Containers can be seen pushing up the hatch covers on the bow section |
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Water washing through the container holds in the stern section |
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The stern section as seen from the bow |
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Rena as seen in the morning overflight |
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Rena as seen in the morning overflight |
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Rena as seen in the morning overflight |
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The stern section of the wreck, still resting on the reef |
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Containers are pushing the hatch covers off the deck of the bow section |
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Containers are pushing the hatch covers off the deck of the bow section |
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The wreck still sits hard aground on Astrolabe reef |
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All of the containers have now been removed from the top deck of Rena |
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The crane barge Smit Borneo |
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Salvors have almost cleared the deck of containers |
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The wreck as seen during the morning overflight |
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Salvors boarding the bow section of Rena to continue salvage work |
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Salvors have cut off the top of a crushed container to access the contents and remove it from the wreck |
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The half submerged stern section of Rena sitting on Astrolabe reef |
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The Smit Borneo alongside the wreck as seen in the overflight this morning |
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Salvors have almost removed all of the containers from the top deck of the bow section of Rena |
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The wreck of the Rena sits on Astrolabe reef, with the Smit Borneo alongside |
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Salvors continue the long process of removing containers from the wreck |
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Salvors unloading bags of material removed from containers aboard Rena by helicopter |
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Salvors removing the formerly refrigerated contents of a 'reefer' container |
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Salvors wear protective suits and breathing equipment to combat the ever present danger of toxic fumes |
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Life on a lean - a look at the working conditions of the Svitzer salvage team |
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Destroyed containers loaded aboard a barge to be taken ashore |
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Containers can be seen pushing open the hatch covers on the bow section of the wreck |
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Containers can be seen pushing open the hatch covers on the bow section of the wreck |
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Work continues to remove the containers from the bow section of Rena |
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Formerly refrigerated containers have to be unpacked by hand as they are out of reach of the Smit Borneo's crane |
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Salvors are dwarfed by the size of the wreck |
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Work continues to remove the containers from the bow section of Rena |
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Work continues to remove the containers from the bow section of Rena |
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The crane barge Smit Borneo in position out at the wreck site |
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The crane barge Smit Borneo in position out at the wreck site |
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A light sheen of oil was visible during the overflight this morning |
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The Smit Borneo removing a container hatch cover from the sunken aft section |
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The Smit Borneo at work out at the wreck site |
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The sun rising over the wreck site this morrning |
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Astonishing - a Coastguard vessel is dwarfed by the wrecked bow of Rena |
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A Coastguard vessel on the way out to Rena this morning |
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The wreck of Rena, taken during the morning overflight |
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Open deck is visible on the bow section as container removal continues |
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The wreck of Rena sitting on Astrolabe Reef |
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The wreck of Rena sitting on Astrolabe Reef |
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Container removal on the bow section is making good progress |
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The insides of the bow section can be seen rusting |
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The wreck of Rena sitting on Astrolabe Reef |
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Rena's bow as observed from 6am overflight |
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Rena and light oil slick as observed from 6am overflight |
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Rena as observed from the water |
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Bags of milk powder are removed from Rena by helicopter. |
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Rena as observed during the 6am overflight |
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Rena as observed during the 6am overflight |
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Rena as observed during the 6am overflight |
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Rena as observed during the 6am overflight |
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The bridge is clearly visible underwater |
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The bridge is clearly visible underwater |
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Salvors are back on board Rena and container removal is underway |
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A small oil sheen observed during the 6am overflight |
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Calmer sea conditions have enabled Svitzer's divers to begin assessing the state of the wreck |
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Calmer sea conditions have enabled Svitzer's divers to begin assessing the state of the wreck |
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The wreck of Rena as observed during the morning overflight |
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The wreck of Rena as observed during the 6am overflight |
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Heavy morning swells batter the Rena preventing salvage divers from inspecting the wreck. |
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Heavy morning swells batter the Rena preventing salvage divers from inspecting the wreck. |
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Stern section of the Rena almost totally submerged, with the bridge barely visible at the left. |
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A sheen between 10-60m wide, is visible stretching about 4km north east of Rena. |
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Shot of the Rena bow section remaining in place on Astrolabe Reef. |
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Shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. The bridge is almost totally submerged. |
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3D image of the Rena showing the vessel's current position on the Astrolabe Reefand how it is submerged. |
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3D image of the Rena showing the vessel's current position on the Astrolabe Reefand how it is submerged. |
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3D image of the Rena showing the vessel's current position on the Astrolabe Reefand how it is submerged. |
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The bridge of the Rena (part of the stern section) almost totally submerged. |
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The bridge of the Rena (part of the stern section) almost totally submerged. |
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Debris start to emerge from the submerged section of Rena. |
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Debris start to emerge from the submerged section of Rena. |
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Shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. The bridge is almost totally submerged. |
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Shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. |
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Shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. The bridge is almost totally submerged. |
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Shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. The bridge is almost totally submerged. |
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Shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. |
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Arial shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. |
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Arial shot of Rena with the stern section fallen off the reef while the bow remains in place. |
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Arial shot of the bridge of Rena mostly submerged beneath the surface. |
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Arial shot of the bridge of Rena moments before submerging. |
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View of Rena as its stern section falls of Astrolabe Reef with more debris coming off. |
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The damage to Rena visible from this morning's observation flight. |
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The damage to Rena visible from this morning's observation flight. |
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Debris from containers off Rena spread over the beach at Matakana Island. |
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The damage to Rena visible from this morning's observation flight. |
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The damage to Rena visible from this morning's observation flight. |
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The damage to Rena visible from this morning's observation flight. |
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The damage to Rena visible from this morning's observation flight. |
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A bag of milk powder off Rena after washing up on Waihi beach today. |
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Bags of milk powder off Rena are left strewn across Waihi beach after washing up today. |
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Bags of milk powder off Rena are left strewn across Waihi beach after washing up today. |
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A container off Rena washed ashore at Waihi beach. |
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A container off Rena washed ashore at Waihi beach. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena separated into 2 pieces after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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Rena swamped by heavy seas after being battered by 6m waves the previous night. |
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The Smit Borneo and the Sea Tow 60 side by side with the Rena in the background. |
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The Smit Borneo and the Sea Tow 60 side by side. |
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The Smit Borneo removing containers off the deck of the Rena |
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The Smit Borneo removing containers off the deck of the Rena |
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Rena's profile has changed dramatically with the removal of containers off the the deck |
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Rena with the Smit Borneo alongside |
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The Smit Borneo loads 6 containers onto it's deck |
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The Smit Borneo is up and running out at Rena |
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The crane barge Smit Borneo securing alongside Rena |
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The Smit Borneo out at the Rena site as observed in the 6am overflight this morning |
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The Smit Borneo loading a sea anchor onto the Go Canopus |
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The crane barge Smit Borneo docked at the Port of Tauranga |
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The crane barge Smit Borneo enters Tauranga harbour under tow from the Svitzer Singapore |
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Rena as viewed from the 6am overflight this morning |
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The rear profile of Rena has changes significantly with the removal of containers from the aft deck |
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Seagulls circle food products removed from Rena at the Truman Lane container processing site |
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Food products are tipped out of a container at the Truman Lane container processing site |
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Stevedore Tix Rirnui wraps butter removed from Rena. The butter is being sent for testing to see if it can be converted into bio-diesel |
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Salvors secure lines to containers for lifting off the Rena. |
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Before and after comparison of Rena as of 23 November. Almost all containers have been removed from the stern. |
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Almost all containers have been removed from the stern of the Rena. |
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The Sea Tow 60 astern of Rena. Almost all containers have been removed from the stern. |
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The Sea Tow 60 astern of Rena, as observed in the 6am overflight this morning |
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Two more containers are lifted off Rena. As of midday today, seven more containers have been removed, taking the total to ten |
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Salvors prepare two more containers for removal from Rena |
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Salvors cutting the locks connecting the containers in preparation for removal |
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The first container from Rena is lowered onto the deck of the Sea Tow 60 |
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A salvor gives the all clear that the first container is secured and ready to be lifted off Rena |
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A salvor being lowered onto Rena to begin container removal |
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The first container being lifted off the Rena this afternoon |
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The #5 port side tank has been inspected and declared empty |
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Welding a crane lashing to the deck of the Sea Tow 60 |
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Salvage crews aboard Sea Tow 60. |
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Steve Morrow, Sea Tow 60 Barge Master. |
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The crane on Sea Tow 60 being setup and prepared for potentially lifting containers off Rena. |
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Operations around Rena visible from the morning observation flight. |
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Salvors making preparations for container removal operations off Rena. |
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The container retrieval vessel SeaTow 60 approaches the Rena. |
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The container retrieval vessel SeaTow 60 being positioned next to Rena. |
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The container retrieval vessel SeaTow 60 being towed out to the Rena |
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The container retrieval vessel SeaTow 60 |
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The tankerAwanuia is disconnected from the Rena and is preparing to return to port. |
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The tankerAwanuia is disconnected from the Rena. |
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The tanker Awanuia has been released this afternoon and the Go Canopus is in position to receive the last of the residual oil from the Rena. |
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Salvors standing at the stern of the Rena |
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Savlors working in pipe passageway at manhole access to #5 port heavy fuel oil tank. |
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The Awenuia sits behind Rena ready for the transfer of oil from the number 5 starboard tank. |
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A helicopter lands on Rena's recently constructed helipad. |
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The Go Canopus and the Awanuia receive oil from the Rena. |
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The completed helicopter platform above bay 32 forward of the superstructure, and the offloading vessels – the Go Canopus and the Awanuia at Rena's stern |
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This graphic simulates the flooding of sea water inside Rena's hull. |
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This graphic shows inside Rena. The No.5 HFO starboard tank is shown with the bottom half full of the water that was pumped in to raise the oil to the top of the tank for hot tapping. |
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This graphic shows the stern of the Rena and the area of buckling. |
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This graphic focuses on a section of the Rena where pressure has caused light indentations between frames (like ribs) 74 and 83 and more severe damage underneath. |
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A tug tows container barge ST60 away from Mt Maunganui today to begin testing its capability and stability. Salvors plan to use it to take the remaining 1280 containers off the Rena. |
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Locater beacons (called "pingers") have been attached to containers in precarious positions. |
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Preparations for pumping off the remaining heavy fuel include placing more than 150m of hose (weighing 3 tonnes), two large pumps and up to 40m of ladders, which are being used to create a smooth, straight path for the oil. |
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Foilex pumps like this, weighing 90kg each, have been manoeuvred into place to pump heavy oil from the Rena. |
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Water surges on to the starboard side of Rena. |
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Daylight is visible through the crack on the port side of Rena. |
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Salvors aboard Rena work to attach oil pumping hoses on deck. |
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Damage to piping and decking is clearly visible. |
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Rena is grounded on the Astrolabe reef which is visible at low tide. |
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The Awanuia is back on site and pumping is underway. |
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The starboard side of Rena’s deck is largely underwater at high tide. |
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Salvage divers resurface after inspecting the buckling on the Starboard side of Rena. |
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Salvage divers resurface after inspecting the buckling on the Starboard side of Rena. |
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The Rena in rough seas surrounded by fog. |
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View of the Rena from cockpit. |
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The Rena in rough seas surrounded by fog. |
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A Svitzer salvor dangles from a helicopter winch cable, arms spread to avoid spinning around in the helicopter's rotor wash. |
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A Svitzer salvor dangles from a helicopter winch cable, arms spread to avoid spinning around in the helicopter's rotor wash. |
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A Svitzer salvor dangles from a helicopter winch cable, arms spread to avoid spinning around in the helicopter's rotor wash. |
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Below Rena's decks, salvors are working to access the starboard 5 tank to pump the ship's remaining fuel oil.
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Salvors install a dam that will allow them to access the manhole for Rena's starboard 5 tank.
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Graphical cross-section of the Rena. |
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Looking down the port passageway of the Rena towards the rear of the vessel. Damaged piping can be seen at the right of the picture. |
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View looking straight down the No 5 port tank manhole, now pumped free of oil. |
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View of the port side Rena engine room showing the list of the vessel. The black hoses at centre right above the salvor's head are from the fuel oil booster pumps. |
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View of the aft deck of the Rena looking towards the rear of the vessel. |
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View from the Rena of the barge Awanuia. The fuel transfer hose (with red floats) to the Rena can be seen in the water. |
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View looking down the starboard side of the Rena towards the rear of the vessel. |
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Oil spill responder Matt Cunningham of Otago Regional Council preparing snare boom for deployment at Tuhua. |
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Rena undertaking fuel transfer to tanker Awanuia. |
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Salvors inspecting the crack on Rena. |
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The rear of the bollard pull tug Go Canopus, heading to Rena to begin fuel transfer operations from the engine rooms. |
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Auckland-based landing craft vessel Brandy Wine recovering a container from Mōtītī Island |
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The new oil hose being prepared for pumping on board the Go Canopus. This is the hose that can enable direct pumping from the settling tanks and service tank. |
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The new oil hose being prepared for pumping on board the Go Canopus. This is the hose that can enable direct pumping from the settling tanks and service tank. |
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Accessing Rena by rope ladder, this is only possible in calm conditions. |
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Salvors working inside Rena, as the vessel is without power they must bring in their own lighting. |
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Diagram showing how Svitzer is pumping oil off Rena into the tankerAwanuia using a submersible pump and 2 booster pumps. |
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Booming operations underway with Rena and support vessels in the background. |
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The tug Waka Kume holds the Awanuia in place during the pumping operation with the Go Canopus in the background. |
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The 150 tonne bollard pull tug, Go Canopus, capable of maintaining station in poor weather. |
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On water oil recovery vessels using booms to contain oil after an oil sheen was observed in the morning. |
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Oil responder Bruce Goff with the Terminator oil skimmer ready for deployment. |
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Salvors prepare hose lines with attachable floats to take out to Rena for pumping operations. |
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Photo taken by salvage team looking out of Rena's bridge showing the list of the vessel against the horizon. |
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The heavy crane ship Pancaldo, 5 nautical miles off the coast of Mount Maunganui. |
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Salvors guide in a 40 foot container onto the deck of Pancaldo. |
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A 40 foot container lifted from the sea floor by the heavy crane ship Pancaldo. |
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Pumping of Rena's fuel oil continued overnight. Fine weather is forecast until Wednesday and savlors are taking advantage of the good conditions while they can. |
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The angle of the deck makes standing up a challenge. |
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The decks angled at 22 degrees make working aboard the Rena difficult. |
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A member of the salvage team with some of the pumping equipment installed aboard Rena. |
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The Ports of Auckland tug Waka Kume helps position the oil tanker Awanuia to the stern of the stricken container vessel Rena, ready for oil to be pumped from Rena. |
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Staging has been attached to the port side of Rena to take salvors and their equipment. |
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Awanuia is anchored astern of Rena, ready to take oil pumped from the stricken ship. |
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A video animation showing how Rena is wedged on Astrolabe Reef. |
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The oil tanker Awanuia reconnects to Rena, ready to take oil pumped from the stricken container ship. |
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Salvors aboard the Rena assist with mooring lines and the oil pumping line from the container ship to the tanker ship. |
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Helicopters are used to ferry salvors and their equipment 22 kilometres from Tauranga to the stricken container ship Rena. |
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The tanker Awanuia moves into position astern of the Rena ready to take a line that will transport oil between the two ships. |
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The line taking oil from Rena to the oil tanker Awanuia is supported by buoys between the two ships. |
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Rena's bow is broken and twisted from the impact with the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. |
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A fracture and buckling extends down Rena's hull on the port side. |
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The ocean washes in and out of the wide fracture on Rena's starboard side. |
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Rena is fractured across the hull to the port side, where the hull is cracked and buckling. |
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With the bow of the Rena perched on the reef, the stern section of the ship is over deeper water, and cracks on both sides of the hull, the ship is now twisted. |
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Rena's containers are in a precarious position |
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Rena's bow section is now fractured and twisted after 13 days on the Astrolabe Reef. |
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Salvage expert Drew Shannon with a sample of the thick black fuel oil from the Rena. |
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Graphic showing how Rena is grounded on Astrolabe Reef. |
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Graphic showing how Rena is grounded on Astrolabe Reef. |
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Graphic showing how Rena is grounded on Astrolabe Reef |
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A large crack shows on the deck on the starboard side of Rena. |
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A large crack shows on the port side of Rena about a third of the length of the vessel from the bow. |
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The tanker ship Awanuia and a Port of Auckland tug assist in operations to recover oil from the stranded ship Rena off Tauranga. |
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Temporary stages have been attached to the side of the grounded container ship Rena to take men and equipment for the salvage operation. |
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Containers on the beach just south of Mount Maunganui. |
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Steel structure crushed by toppled containers on board Rena. |
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Shot of fractured steel structures onboard Rena. |
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Helicopter Crewman Sergeant Karl Borck watches out as an Air Force Iroquois flies over grounded vessel Rena. |
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Air Force Iroquois helicopter winches a salvage expert on to Rena. |
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Debris from containers that have toppled off the stricken Rena just off Tauranga. |
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A container that has toppled off Rena washes up on the shoreline of Motiti island just off Tauranga. |
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Debris washing around the stricken Rena. |
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A large crack appears in the side of the stricken vessel Rena. |
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Rena losing containers as heavy swells wash her deck on the starboard side. |
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Rena losing containers as heavy swells wash her deck on the starboard side. |
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Rena losing containers as heavy swells wash her deck on the starboard side. |
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Cargo tipping on Rena's deck. Taken from HMNZS Endeavour. |
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The tanker Awanuia operating near the stricken cargo vessel Rena. |
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Profile diagram of stricken cargo vessel Rena on the Astrolabe Reef with depth information. |
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Chart showing location of stricken cargo vessel Rena on the Astrolabe Reef. |
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The tanker Awanuia gets closer to the stricken cargo vessel Rena. |
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Phoenix and the Northern Quest prepare to take out oil spill response equipment to the grounded vessel Rena. |
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Phoenix heads to the grounded vessel Rena with oil spill response equipment on board. |
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Northern Quest heads to the grounded vessel Rena with oil spill response equipment on board. |
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The tug Waka Kume, one of Port of Auckland's vessels deployed to the spill response. |
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The tanker Awanuia, one of Port of Auckland's vessels deployed to the spill response. |
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HMNZS Rotiti, one of four New Zealand Defence Force vessels deployed to the spill response. |
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HMNZS Taupo, one of four New Zealand Defence Force vessels deployed to the spill response. |
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HMNZS Endeavour, one of four New Zealand Defence Force vessels deployed to the spill response. |
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HMNZS Manawanui, one of four New Zealand Defence Force vessels deployed to the spill response. |
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Fly-over shots of stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef near Tauranga Harbour. |
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Fly-over shots of stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef near Tauranga Harbour. |
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Close-up of stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef. |
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Close-up of stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef. |
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Shot taken aboard the stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef. |
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Fly-over shots of stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef. |
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Fly-over shots of stranded cargo vessel Rena grounded on the Astrolabe Reef. |
