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Daily summaries: 1 December 2011 – current week

May

Current week

Week 32: 9 May – 15 May

Week 31: 2 May – 8 May

April

Week 30: 25 April – 1 May

Week 29: 18 – 24 April

Week 28: 11 – 17 April

Week 27: 4 – 10 April

Week 26: 28 March – 3 April

March

Week 25: 21 – 27 March

Week 24: 14 – 20 March

Week 23: 7 – 13 March

February

Week 22: 29 February – 6 March

Week 21: 22–28 February

Week 20: 15–21 February

Week 19: 8–14 February

Week 18: 1–7 February

January

Week 17: 25–31 January

Week 16: 18–24 January

Week 15: 11–17 January

Week 14: 4–10 January

December

Week 13: 28 December – 3 January

Week 12: 21–27 December

Week 11: 14–20 December

Week 10: 7–13 December

Week 9: 1–6 December

1 – 30 November 2011: Weeks 5 – 9

Daily timeline summaries [PDF: 92Kb, 9 pages]

Ministerial briefings: 1 November 2011 [PDF: 83Kb, 2 pages]

5 – 31 October 2011: Weeks 1 – 4

Daily timeline summaries [PDF: 95Kb, 9 pages]

Ministerial briefings: 1 – 31 October 2011 [PDF: 1.86Mb, 56 pages]

Situation reports: 8 – 26 October 2011 [PDF: 263Kb, 72 pages]

Friday 18 May

Current Week

Salvage

• Rough weather at the reef earlier in the week caused some disruption to salvage activity but salvors resumed work yesterday and made good progress, removing a large number of bundles of aluminium ingots from the number 1 hold.
• Salvors have also continued to remove containers and pieces of hatch covers and other debris from the bow section of the wreck.
• The wreck remains in a fragile state, subject to the weather conditions. Monitoring has confirmed some further deterioration in the bow section caused by flexing of the wreck. The bow section remains fixed hard on the reef.
• There are currently moderate winds out at the Astrolabe Reef with a sea state of between .5 and 1m. Both the sea state and the winds are expected to drop over the weekend and remain relatively calm through into next week.

Container and debris recovery

• The Braemar Howells recovery team is continuing its efforts to recover plastic beads from parts of the Coromandel and Matakana Island in particular.
• Shoreline teams are working in areas including Matapaua Bay, and clean-up methods using modified vacuum equipment is working well. Helicopters are being used to recover debris from isolated areas and transfer it to motorised barges standing by offshore.
• On Matakana Island, shoreline recovery teams are cleaning up beads and some timber from the sand dunes above the high tide mark. 
• Shoreline surveys and clean-up have also continued on Papamoa and Pukehina beaches.
• The Braemar distressed cargo specialists say that over the past week an additional 100 tonnes of aluminium ingots have been landed ashore. This takes the total amount of aluminium recovered to 309 tonnes. 
• Braemar NZ Operations Manager Neil Lloyd says that a comprehensive sonar sweep of the seabed aimed at locating containers and large debris items has been completed. The team is now moving into phase two of the operation, where targets are identified to confirm whether they’ve come from Rena. Details will be made available at the completion of this project. 
• The number of containers recovered by the salvors and landed ashore by Braemar stands at 778.
• Meanwhile, Braemar plans to investigate this weekend reports of a large object offshore from Waihi Beach. The recovery team is continuing to respond to sporadic reports of debris coming ashore, the latest from Hahei on the Coromandel.

Oil Spill Response

• Members of the public are encouraged to keep reporting any sightings of oil to the oil spill response hotline on 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774).
• The oil spill response has been reduced from a Tier 3, or national level, to Tier 2, or regional level, response. Any queries about the oil spill response should now be directed to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

 

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Week 32: 9 May - 15 May

Friday 11 May

Salvage

• Svitzer salvors have made good progress in removing containers and cargo from Rena throughout the week.
• Dive operations to remove smaller pieces of debris and cargo have been undertaken. Divers are cutting into parts of the submerged stern section to gain access to containers for removal.
• There are currently moderate to strong winds and swells of between 2-3m at the Astrolabe Reef. The weather conditions are forecast to ease over the weekend.

Container and debris recovery

• The Braemar recovery team is investigating reports of debris washing ashore on Great Barrier Island.
• The team will fly over the island as soon as weather conditions are favourable to assess the situation.
• Braemar NZ Operations Manager Neil Lloyd says that staff will respond accordingly, deploying a fast response craft and clean up teams to deal with the matter. 
• Meanwhile, clean up operations on the Coromandel are continuing. Methods for collecting plastic beads have been finalised and will be into action next week, as the weather improves.
• On Matakana Island, debris has been collected and stockpiled ready to be heli-lifted for disposal. The air lift is scheduled for next week, along with further efforts to clean up plastic beads from island beaches.
• With the latest recovery efforts, the total number of containers received ashore from Rena is 762 – this is made up of 661 removed from the decks and holds of Rena, and another 101 retrieved from the extended area around the wreck, and the shoreline.
• This week alone, the Braemar/ Unimar recovery team has recovered the wreckage of more than 30 containers – including container sections and some cargo.
• A further 40 containers are in pinpointed locations yet to be recovered and sonar surveys are continuing over a wide area.   

Oil spill response

• Surveys by oil spill response personnel of areas previously affected by oil have continued this week.
• Small amounts of residual oil have been observed in some areas between Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. These have not required clean-up operations but the sites will continue to be monitored by survey teams.

 

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Week 31: 2 May - 8 May

Friday 4 May

Salvage

• Svitzer has continued to make good progress removing containers and debris from the Rena wreck over the past week.
• Salvors have been cutting into containers to allow contents to be removed using the heavy lift helicopter. ·
• Salvors have also this week focused on cutting up hatch covers and removing them from the wreck. ·
• Favourable weather conditions have allowed dive operations around the stern section to locate and remove bags of debris from the sea bed around the wreck.
• At Astrolabe Reef, there are currently moderate W-SW winds, which are expected to persist through until Monday morning. There are swells of around 1m at the reef.

Container and debris recovery

• The Braemar Howells recovery team has made strong progress in cleaning up beaches and coastal areas of the Coromandel and Great Barrier Island - the most northern point that Rena debris has been found.
• A motorised barge has been in operation as the ‘mother ship’ for smaller vessels which have been ferrying debris to it gathered by shore teams - ranging from wheelbarrow parts and small amounts of timber to noodle packets and plastic beads.
• NZ Operations Manager Neil Lloyd says the four teams are working hard to make the most of fine weather and low swells in the area.
• On the Coromandel Peninsula, teams aim to have completed collection of the larger debris from beaches in the Tairua area including Sailor’s Grave and Pauanui, by Sunday.
• In the meantime, two staff are working on Matakana Island, carrying out a grid survey of the 23 kms of beaches – planning for an operation to target the remaining plastic beads. The cleanup methods include the use of modified portable vaccum equipment.
• Plans are also being made for a similar operation on Motiti Island.
• The number of containers recovered and brought ashore by Braemar has risen to 769. This leaves an estimated 201 containers in the bow section, most of them empty, and a further 358 in the aft section or on the seabed nearby.
• Mr Lloyd says that Braemar is continuing to operate under instructions from, and with strong support from Rena's owners, who are maintaining a close watch on progress with the clean-up.

Oil spill response

• Please see our media release for latest on oil spill response.

Read the media releases for Friday 4 May:

Rena oil spill response transition – 12.45pm

 

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Week 30: 25 April - 1 May

Friday 27 April

Salvage

• Svitzer salvors have made good progress in removing containers and cargo from Rena throughout the week.
• Dive operations to remove smaller pieces of debris and cargo have been undertaken. Divers are cutting into parts of the submerged stern section to gain access to containers for removal.
• There are currently moderate to strong winds and swells of between 2-3m at the Astrolabe Reef. The weather conditions are forecast to ease over the weekend.

Container and debris recovery

• The Braemar recovery team is investigating reports of debris washing ashore on Great Barrier Island.
• The team will fly over the island as soon as weather conditions are favourable to assess the situation.
• Braemar NZ Operations Manager Neil Lloyd says that staff will respond accordingly, deploying a fast response craft and clean up teams to deal with the matter. 
• Meanwhile, clean up operations on the Coromandel are continuing. Methods for collecting plastic beads have been finalised and will be into action next week, as the weather improves.
• On Matakana Island, debris has been collected and stockpiled ready to be heli-lifted for disposal. The air lift is scheduled for next week, along with further efforts to clean up plastic beads from island beaches.
• With the latest recovery efforts, the total number of containers received ashore from Rena is 762 – this is made up of 661 removed from the decks and holds of Rena, and another 101 retrieved from the extended area around the wreck, and the shoreline.
• This week alone, the Braemar/Unimar recovery team has recovered the wreckage of more than 30 containers – including container sections and some cargo.
• A further 40 containers are in pinpointed locations yet to be recovered and sonar surveys are continuing over a wide area.

Oil spill response

• Surveys by oil spill response personnel of areas previously affected by oil have continued this week.
• Small amounts of residual oil have been observed in some areas between Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. These have not required clean-up operations but the sites will continue to be monitored by survey teams.
• Members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings of oil to 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774).

 

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Week 29: 18 - 24 April

Friday 20 April

Salvage Update

• Good progress has been made on salvage activities this week.
• Heli-lifts yesterday removed four 40ft empty containers which were put onto the Pohonui.
• Another vessel was filled with debris from 14 different containers, one 20ft container was filled with scrap
• Today's activities on the Rena continue with cutting of 3C cargo hatch and lashing of containers underneath. This will hopefully be completed today.
• On the Smit Borneo they will carry out diving activities in hold 5 to free up a number of containers that are planned to be lifted out tomorrow.
• The current weather forecast is south/south east winds of 12 knots turning to the north east and dropping to 3 knots. Wave height of 0.5m. Swell of 0.4m increasing to 0.5m from the east. Total significant wave height of 0.7m, maximum wave height of 1m.
• The forecast is for similar conditions, light north/north easterly winds turning to the south east then east/south east. Wave height and swell from the east of 0.5m.

Weather Forecast

• Current – South west winds at 11 knots, easing during the day then going west for a period and increasing to 20 knots in the evening. Wave height of 0.6m. Swell of 0.6m from the north east. Total significant wave height of 1m.

• Forecast – Winds from the south west of 17-21 knots swinging north then south east. Swell north east for the next 2 days at 0.6m.

Containers

• The Braemar recovery team is continuing a sweep of the Coromandel coast and offshore islands – targeting debris released from Rena.
• The team has mounted a two-pronged attack, on land and at sea.
• NZ Operations Manager Neil Lloyd says that the priority has been to tackle the worst impacted areas, and larger waste items have been prioritised for collection.
• Recent operations have involved work at sea, where debris is being collected from more inaccessible rocky areas.
• Vessels including a fast response craft supported by barges, are now continuing a coastal run to gather remaining debris. This sweep will take them out around the Mercury, Slipper and Aldermen Islands, returning to port via Matakana Island to collect more.
• Work ashore includes the recovery of plastic beads from beaches, with collection methods proving successful.
• The total number of containers brought ashore ashore from the Rena and the immediate vicinity has risen to 615. The grand total recovered is now 716, including 101 recovered from the sea and shore.
• There are 40-plus containers lying on the seabed in various known locations.

MNZ / Spill Response

• Over the last week, shoreline surveys of the Northern part of Mercury Bay, as well as Matakana Island and beach areas from Mt. Maunganui to Maketu, and areas within Tauranga Harbour, have been conducted.
• Small amounts of oil and oily waste have been recovered from the Mercury Bay area. No new oil has been found at any of the other locations surveyed.
• MNZ’s spill response capability is being maintained, and teams will respond to any new reports of oil as they come through.

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Week 28: 11 - 17 April

Friday 13 April

Salvage Update

• 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.
• The aft section was visible below the surface, as was a light oil sheen of approximately 1 km in length drifting in a south east direction from the aft section. The sheen had dispersed about 1.5 km from the wreck site.
• Due to inclement weather, Go Canopus shifted from Home Bay to a more sheltered anchorage on the north east side of Motiti Island at Tumu Bay.
• Svitzer continue to land salvage teams on the forward section of Rena by helicopter. The teams are making good progress cutting up the hatch lids in preparation for removal by the heavy lift helicopter. Today they will use the cargo helicopter to lift 24 of these sections off onto the vessel Pohonui.
• No work is currently being undertaken on the submerged aft section of the wreck.
• On Wednesday, the salvage team recovered Rena’s port anchor and secured it. They also removed a section of the anchor chain in order to allow the chain to be used as a future mooring point for the Smit Borneo.
• The Smit Borneo is currently still berthed in Tauranga.

Weather Forecast

• Current – South west winds at 11 knots, easing during the day then going west for a period and increasing to 20 knots in the evening. Wave height of 0.6m. Swell of 0.6m from the north east. Total significant wave height of 1m.
• Forecast – Winds from the south west of 17-21 knots swinging north then south east. Swell north east for the next 2 days at 0.6m.

Braemar Howells Container Update

• 683 containers have been removed from Rena and the shore and water.
• About 240 containers are estimated to remain below decks on the forward section of Rena
• Over 170 containers have now been processed at Truman Lane.

Braemar Howells Debris Recovery

• The Braemar recovery team and helpers are continuing to focus their efforts on the Coromandel – where about 60 tonnes of assorted debris has already been recovered.
• Braemar Operations Manager Neil Lloyd says the team is now collecting debris at strategic locations to get the most effective results from planned heli-lifts of debris for disposal. This waste includes bundles of timber and one tonne bags filled with debris ranging from pieces of wood to packets of noodles and plastic beads.
• Mr Lloyd says Braemar is continuing to work in cooperation with local people, including Thames Coromandel District Council and Waikato Regional Council staff and volunteers. The combined effort has produced excellent results at spots including Tairua, Sailor’s Grave, Hotwater Beach and Pauanui.
• Work is continuing to re-survey Coromandel beaches and coastal stretches so that clean-up efforts can be re-prioritised where necessary. Matapaua is one of the areas which is also being inspected. Mr Lloyd, who is visiting the Coromandel today, says that local residents can be assured Braemar will not be leaving until the debris cleanup is completed satisfactorily. 
• Meanwhile, a number vessels ranging from small tugs to barges are continuing to operate at sea where further debris is being collected.
• A tug boat has continued to work around the Rena collecting any remaining debris that’s surfaced from the wreck, and beach surveys and flotsam collection have been conducted at Matakana Island, Papamoa, Waihi Beach, Onemana, Bowentown and Te Kaha.

MNZ / Spill Response

• Once Braemar have completed debris recovery work at Matapaua Bay, MNZ responders will conduct another survey of the area, most likely early next week, to determine whether any cleanup of oil or oily waste may be required. If there is any oil left behind that requires clean up, MNZ responders will undertake this work.
• A light sheen of oil is still trailing from the wreck, and MNZ will continue to maintain its spill response capability and respond to any oil that may come ashore.
• Shoreline surveys are planned for Mt Maunganui and Leisure Island today and for the Sulphur Point/Kulim Park area and Mt Maunganui/Papamoa Beaches tomorrow.

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Week 27: 4 - 10 April

Thursday 5 April

MNZ / Oil spill response

• Thames-Coromandel District Council staff have started the clean up of the debris, and MNZ, with support from Waikato Regional Council, is continuing to monitor the shoreline.
• There have been no reports of oil coming ashore in the Bay of Plenty or Coromandel, however, responders remain on standby and there will be ongoing spot checks of Coromandel and BOP beaches over the Easter holiday weekend.
• While some oil may come ashore, it is important to note that the amount of oil being released from the wreck is only a tiny percentage of the oil released in the big spill in October.
• An observation flight over the wreck this morning confirmed light sheenextending 2-3km from the wreck to the north west.
• The weather forecast for the Astrolabe today is for SE winds of 25 knots (46km/h) gusting to 37 knots (68km/h) and waves of up to 7m, though this is expected to ease later today. Strong winds and rough seas are forecast to continue through until Sunday.
• People are advised that more debris and possibly small amounts of oil may land on Bay of Plenty and Coromandel beaches over the long weekend, so please take care ifusing the beach or water. MNZ remains ready to escalate its response should this occur, and members of the public are urged to contact the response team on 0800 645 774 to report any sightings of oil that may come ashore.
• If members of the public do get oil on their skin, it should be washed off with soap and water. Baby oil or olive oil is also useful for removing it.
• There have been no reports of any wildlife being affected, but the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team based at Massey University has been alerted and can respond to any reports as needed. The Department of Conservation has also been alerted.

Salvage

• There has been no further significant change to the wreck overnight, though salvors have observed further damage to the rear part of forward section and the breaking up of containers in the holds that are visible from the air.
• Weather conditions permitting, salvors plan to land a three-man team on the forward section of the vessel this afternoon to conduct a closer visual inspection. However this will be dependent on the prevailing sea and wind conditions, with the safety of the salvors remaining paramount.
• Boat skippers and vessel masters are reminded to take extreme care, as the debris from the wreck poses a significant risk to shipping. A 2NM exclusion zone remains in place for the Astrolabe reef, and navigational warnings continue to remain in force.

Container and debris recovery

• Braemar cleanup teams deployed at first light at points along the Bay of Plenty coast to begin collecting debris and assess how much is coming ashore.
• All available vessels – around a dozen craft including tugs and barges with excavator arms – are on standby, ready to put to sea as soon as conditions allow.
• In addition, aircraft have carried out further flyovers to pinpoint floating debris, including a debris trail made up mainly of timber which has been drifting inside Mayor Island, in the direction of the Coromandel.
• A yellow part-containereraliersighted floating on end in this trailand thought to have sunk,hasbeen locatedwestof Mayor Island.
• NZ Operations Manager Neil Lloyd says that as always, Braemar’s recovery team will prioritise collecting as much debris as possible at sea to trytostop it impacting on the coastline over the Easter holiday weekend.
• The public are asked to phone 0800 333 771 if they come acrossanydebris washing ashore as soon as possible.
• Braemar teams are surveying areas including Papamoa Beach, and further north at Tairua and Pauanui, Onemena, and Whangamata. Reports of debris include plastic beads at Papamoa and packets of noodles in the Tairua area.
• On Matakana Island, teams using tractors, including an iwi workforce, have begun collecting debris including timber.

 

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Wednesday 4 April

• 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.
• The Bay of Plenty and Coromandel communities are advised that the sinking of the stern section will likely result in the loss of more debris andsmall amounts of oil into the sea, which may then come ashore.It is important to note that the amount of oil released from the wreck is only a tiny percentage of the oil released in the big spill in October.
• A light sheen of oil has been observed stretching for about 1km north-west of the wreck.
• The forward section of the vessel is holding on the reef, but has suffered further damage to its rear section.
• A wave of over 12m was recorded at the reef overnight, with winds of 27 knots (50km/h) and seas of 8-9m experienced today.
• MNZ’s oil spill response team and specialist container recovery teams and vessels from Braemar Howells remain on alert to respond to any reports of further oil or debris coming ashore. Strong winds and rough seas however continue to impact on on-water debris recovery operations. These will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
• A team from Waikato Regional Council is remaining in the Coromandel to respond should oil come ashore there.
• If members of the public do get oil on their skin, it should be washed off with soap and water. Baby oil or olive oil is also useful for removing it.
• There have been no reports of any wildlife being affected, but the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team based at Massey University has been alerted and can respond to any reports as needed. The Department of Conservation has also been alerted.
• While weather conditions at the Astrolabe Reef are forecast to gradually ease, winds will remain strong and the sea is expected to remain rough for several days.
• MNZ and the salvors, Svitzer, will continue to monitor and assess the condition of the wreck, and will attempt to undertake a closer inspection of the wreck when conditions allow.
• Boat skippers and vessel masters are reminded to take extreme care, as the debris from the wreck poses a significant risk to shipping. A 2NM exclusion zone remains in place for the Astrolabe reef, and navigational warnings continue to remain in force.
• The public is encouraged to report any oil or debris to the response team on the 0800 numbers below.

Read the media releases for Wednesday 4 April:

Rena response (media update 212) – 5.30pm

Rena response (media update 211) – 11.30am

 

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Week 26: 28 March - 3 April

Tuesday 3 April

• Further to this afternoon's update, the oil spill response team has confirmed a small amount of oil is leaking from the wreck.
• It is impossible to confirm how much this is, however, the total amount of oil left on Rena is in the tens of tonnes, located in a number of pockets around the wreck. It is very unlikely all of this would be released in one event.
• Trajectory modelling shows that if this small amount of oil does reach the shoreline, it could reach the Coromandel overnight. This would be expected to take the form of areas with a very light sprinkling of oil on shorelines between Whiritoa and Whitianga.
• It is important to note that the amount of oil released from the wreck is only a tiny percentage of the oil we saw released in the big spill in October. It is unlikely to have a significant impact – however, it is important people are aware there could be some oil on their beaches over the next few days.
• If members of the public do get oil on their skin, it should be washed off with soap and water. Baby oil or olive oil is also useful for removing it.
• Working as part of the Rena response team, personnel from the Waikato Regional Council have been mobilised and they will check the potentially affected shorelines tomorrow to assess whether any oil has come ashore, and mount whatever response is required.
• It is unlikely the level of oil we expect to see will have any impact on wildlife. However, the Massey wildlife team is ready to deal with any affected wildlife if needed.
• Members of the public are encouraged to call the 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774) hotline to report any sightings of oil.

Read the media releases for Tuesday 3 April:

Rena response (media update 210) – 5.30pm

Rena response (media update 209) – 3.30pm

 

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Monday 2 April

Salvage

• 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.
• The weather forecast for Astrolabe reef is for rough seas of up to 8m, peaking on Tuesday/Wednesday this week.
• Helicopter lifting operations continued over the weekend, with more debris lifted from the wreck.
• The wreck remains in a fragile state and will continue to deteriorate the longer it remains exposed to the elements. The forecast bad weather may result in further damage or movement of the wreck, along with the potential loss of more containers or container debris.
• Salvors and the Braemar Howells container recovery teams remain ready to respond to any fresh loss of containers or debris from the wreck.

Containers

• Container numbers recovered from the Rena stands at 685. This includes those recovered from the vessel and from the ocean and beaches.
• Debris was identified at Whakatane and Ohope on Friday. A team is in the area today to move this refrigerated container foam that was collected on Friday and moved up above the tide line.
• A Braemar Howells team will also be at Orokawa Bay north of Waihi Beach today to stack timber on the beach. The timber will be heli-lifted to a barge for removal when the weather permits.
• Braemar Howells has also spent time over the weekend putting contingency plans in place, ready for expected high swells predicted to hit the Mount Maunganui area mid-week. Anyone coming across containers or debris is asked to please call 0800 333 771.

MNZ Spill response

• A small amount of oil discovered on Leisure Island late last week has been cleaned up.
• A small amount of oil found at Sulphur Point is being cleaned up today. The teams will tomorrow focus on removing a small amount of oil discovered around Mt Maunganui.
• Beach surveys are being undertaken from Mt Maunganui to Kaituna today.
• Contingency plans remain in place to escalate the spill response if required, especially with bad weather forecast later this week.
• People are advised that oil is still inside the wreck and may continue to come ashore, particularly following periods of rough weather. People are encouraged to exercise caution and report any oil to 0800 645 774.

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Friday 30 March

Salvage

• The crane barge Smit Borneo is positioned on the starboard side of the wreck.
• Over the past few days, salvors have removed two containers of pulp from the wreck and two more from the seabed next to the wreck. These have been loaded on to the barge Pohunui for transfer to the port.
• Salvors have also removed 16 badly damaged containers from cargo hold No.5.
• Salvors have also focused on removing further scrap metal from the wreck, including bits of damaged containers.
• They have additionally removed 4 hatch covers from the sea floor and wreck in the last few days.
• There are currently light to moderate easterly winds at the Astrolabe Reef, forecast to rise to between 15 and 20 knots by tonight and persisting over the weekend. The sea state is forecast to remain between 1.5 and 2m over the weekend, rising on Monday to exceed 3m on Tuesday.
• To date, a total of 683 containers have now been processed ashore – made up of 584 containers removed from Rena by Svitzer salvors and 99 recovered from the sea and shoreline by Braemar Howells container recovery teams.

Container/debris recovery

• The fine weather has allowed the Braemar Howells container and debris recovery team to air-lift large quantities of timber and debris from both Matakana and Motiti Islands. On Wednesday, 30 one-tonne bags and eight bundles of timber were heli-lifted from Matakana, and another five bags, 11 pieces of steel and four bundles of timber were removed from Motiti Island.
• A team has recovered debris from Whangamata beaches, and staff have also surveyed beaches from the Mount to Kaituna Cut with little debris found, apart from a wooden pallet.
• The team will inspect more beaches today in the Whakatane area.
• Earlier this week Braemar inspected beaches in the Gisborne district. Some car and tractor tyres and other debris were found but it's not yet certain how much came from Rena.
• So far, Braemar has recovered 99 containers from beaches and coastal waters.

Oil spill response

• The oil spill response team has this week focused on shoreline clean up assessment technique (SCAT) surveys between Mount Maunganui and Kaituna Cut, with site visits to Matakana and Motiti Island. National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said the shorelines had been largely clear of oil following last week's heavy weather and release of further oil from the wreck.
• SCAT teams did find a small amount of light oiling at Rabbit Island – a small clean-up operation would be undertaken to remove this, Mr Courtnell said.
• The SCAT surveys were continuing – today focusing on the inner harbour, Leisure Island and the Mount.

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Week 25: 21 - 27 March

Monday 26 March

Salvage

• 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.
• Svitzer salvors have removed two hatch lids from the seabed near the stern section of Rena. These hatch covers were landed them on the barge Pohunui and transported to the port.
• The McDermott heavy lift helicopter successfully removed two more full stillages (or small containers) of oily debris from the No.2 hold yesterday.
• Salvors are continuing to assess the damage caused to the wreck by Wednesday’s heavy weather event. It has been established that eight containers were washed overboard. One floating container was located by Braemar Howells at sea, however it sunk in 20 metres of water. The container has had a buoy attached for recovery. The other seven are presumed to have sunk. Ongoing sonar work will continue around the wreck site to locate lost containers.
• There is no change to containers processed ashore since Friday’s figures – 649 containers recovered on shore in total, made up of 575 containers removed from Rena by salvors and 74 containers recovered from the sea or shoreline by Braemar Howells.
• 43 containers have been located away from Rena, but are yet to be recovered.

Containers

• The weather event last week resulted in further debris reaching shorelines around the wider Bay of Plenty.
• Over the weekend, Braemar Howells container and debris recovery teams have recovered small amounts of debris from Tuapiro Point near Katikati, and from Waihi Beach
• With help from Envirowaste, Braemar removed about two trailor-loads of plywood and fibreboards from Onemana Bay north of Whangamata
• Mount Maunganui and Papamoa beaches were surveyed for possible debris with none found on shore
• Vessels were sent to Motiti Island to recover debris from predominantly the northern tip of the island. The vessels also continued work following the debris trail collecting what they could prior to it reaching the shore. It is expected that the clean-up of Motiti Island – of mainly packaged milk powder and timber – following last week’s storm, will be completed over the next day or two.
• Members of the public are encouraged to phone 0800 333 771 to report any debris washed up on beaches or spotted at sea.  Please do not touch container contents.
• Other operations for the week ahead include:
• A coastal flight survey to continue monitoring for possible debris
• Timber recovery from Orokawa Bay, north of Waihi beach.  This will be by means of either a boat to barge, or helicopter to barge operation
• Divers will be sent to survey an area close to shore at the northern end of Motiti Island where debris and container pieces have been found. Recovery plans will then be made.
• Vessels were deployed to recover debris off Motiti Island and follow the debris trail collecting it prior it going ashore. Motiti Island’s east coast was cleaned and the remainder of the coastline is due to be completed today.
• Beach debris recovery is being carried out at Turipiro point and at Waihi Beach.
• In port, operations are ongoing to manage debris being landed from offshore and on the beaches.

Oil spill response

• After the storm of last week, MNZ received a number of reports of small amounts of oil from Mount Maunganui down to Maketu Spit. All reports were investigated and combined surveys and clean ups of these areas were undertaken on Thursday and carried through until yesterday (Sunday). Oil deposits have been cleaned up where appropriate.
• Surveys were also undertaken down as far as Pukehina, but no oil was detected at Pukehina or inside Maketu Estuary, or Little Wahi Estuary.
• MNZ has received no reports of oil outside of the areas surveyed.
• There have been no further reports of oil since late Friday. However, members of the public are encouraged to report any sightings to the response team on 0800 645 774 (OIL SPILL).
• Further follow-up surveys are being undertaken today from the Mount down to Maketu, and surveys of other areas will be undertaken during the week.
• An observation flight on Saturday spotted a light sheen of oil continuing to come from the wreck, but offshore wind conditions are expected to carry this further out to sea.

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Friday 23 March

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.

Salvage

• Initial assessments confirm no further significant change in the state of the wreck.
• There is currently a 2-3m swell around the Astrolabe Reef. These conditions mean it is impossible for the salvors to access the holds to assess how many containers were lost overboard on Wednesday night. They will do this as soon as conditions allow.
• Conditions are forecast to continue easing today and remain calm over the weekend.
• Smit Borneo is due to depart the port today to resume its position at Rena.
• The amount of oil remaining on the wreck is estimated to be in the order of tens of tonnes. This oil is located in a number of different pockets throughout the wreck. Salvors will continue to strip oil from the wreck when they are able to access these pockets.
• A total of 649 containers are now accounted for onshore. This comprises 575 containers removed from Rena by Svitzer salvors and 74 containers recovered from the sea and shoreline by Braemar Howells container recovery teams.

Container and debris recovery

• The Braemar recovery team has successfully secured one container located at sea and recovered a large quantity of debris released from the wreck in the stormy conditions.
• Braemar deployed a plane to search the coastal waters and number of vessels early yesterday morning. The debris collected, bags of milk powder and timber, virtually filled a 40 foot container being used for storage.
• The recovery team say there were reports that two containers had been released, but only one with milk powder contents could be found. It was towed to an anchor point on the west side of Motiti Island and marked with a buoy.
• Today the recovery team will focus on picking up remaining debris floating at the northern end of Motiti Island. Once this has been picked up, divers will be used to retrieve debris which has washed onto the northern tip of the island.
• A survey of beaches between Mount Maunganui and the Kaituna Cut will also be carried out.

Oil spill response

• A shoreline clean-up assessment technique (SCAT) team yesterday surveyed the beach from Mount Maunganui to Omanu following reports of small amounts of oil coming ashore. This was confirmed as small droplets of possibly fresh oil along the high tide mark. The team removed the larger deposits of oil – it is likely the smaller deposits will break down naturally in the tidal movement. The team will return to the same stretch of beach today to monitor the oil's progress and assess whether further clean-up activity is required.
• SCAT teams are heading to Maketu and Little Waihi this morning to assess whether any oil has reached shorelines there.
• National On Scene Commander Rob Service said it was impossible to calculate exactly how much oil leaked during Wednesday's heavy weather event, however, it was only a very small amount. While some of this oil appears to have reached the shoreline, it is unlikely to have a significant impact. The oil spill response team will closely monitor the situation over the weekend and remains ready to mount whatever response is necessary.
• Members of the public are encouraged to call in any oil sightings to the oil spill response hotline on 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774)

 

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Thursday 22 March

Read media releases for Thursday 22 March:

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.

The Astrolabe Reef was hammered with swells of up to 6 metres overnight. Svitzer salvors have confirmed the list on the stern section of the wreck had reduced slightly as a result.

MNZ Tauranga Response and Recovery Manager David Billington said it was evident during an observation flight this morning that the bad weather event had resulted in damage to bulkheads at the front of the stern section and structural damage on the forward section of Rena. Bulkheads are like the internal walls of the ship.

“This has resulted in some containers and some debris going into the sea,” Mr Billington said.

“There is a light debris field of about 2 nautical miles stretching east south east of Rena. At the moment it is quite localised, but it is likely this will spread further out as the day progresses.”

The debris field contained bags of milk powder and timber. Two containers have been observed floating about 2km from the wreck.

Mr Billington said any boaties out on the water should keep a good look out and avoid the area between the wreck site and Motiti Island.

“There is timber in the water, which could certainly cause damage if vessels came into contact with it at speed. We advise all skippers to listen to the navigational warnings being put out by the harbourmaster, watch their speeds and keep a good lookout.

“We also encourage anyone who sees containers or debris in the water to call it in to the container hotline on 0800 333 771 – all information from the public will help us build a better picture of what’s out there.”

Mr Billington said the salvors were monitoring the vessel closely for further movement but it appeared settled for now. Weather conditions had eased and there was a 3-4m swell around the reef.

Container and debris recovery company Braemar Howells has this morning sent out a plane and fleet of vessels to respond to the latest release of containers and debris.

Two tug boats, a fast response vessel, one barge, and a plane are assessing the situation to determine whether sea conditions will allow debris collection to get under way.

National On Scene Commander Rob Service said a light sheen of oil was stretching just under 1 nautical mile in an easterly direction from the wreck. Observers had also noted some dark patches of oil in the immediate vicinity of the wreck.

Mr Service said while the amount of oil seen coming from the wreck was small, there was the potential for some oil to come ashore. Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams had surveyed the beach between Leisure Island and Tay Street this morning and located small droplets of oil along the high tide mark.

Mr Service said these could be the result of the fresh release, or old oil being exposed due to the stormy weather. Members of the public are encouraged to ring the oil hotline on 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774) to let the response team know.

“We’ll be keeping a close eye on the movement of the sheen and our response team is ready for any fresh oil that reaches the shoreline,” Mr Service said.

Rena response (media update 203) – 11.30am

Rena response (media update 202) – 9.00am

 

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Week 24: 14 - 20 March

Monday 19 March

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.

Salvage

• Svitzer salvors have focused on the removal of further heavy fuel oil (HFO) from the number 5 starboard tank over the weekend – they have removed an estimated 16 tonnes of HFO over the last few days.
• Two containers were removed from Number 6 hold of the wreck and sent ashore for processing on Saturday.
• Due to the heavy swell and rough sea conditions at the reef, Smit Borneo has now moved away from Rena and back in the Port of Tauranga – the barge will remain there until the conditions ease.

Container and debris recovery

• A total of 647 containers are now accounted for onshore – this comprises 575 containers removed from Rena by salvors and 72 recovered from the water and shoreline by Braemar Howells container recovery teams.
• Beach surveys were carried out over the weekend on stretches of beach from Mount Maunganui to Maketu, as well as at Waihi Beach and Bowentown. Small amounts of debris – mainly pieces of foam from refrigerated containers – were recovered.
• The focus of today's activities will be primarily the attempted retrieval of packs of latex gloves from the shallow waters at Bowentown. Braemar staff will also trek over to Orokawa Bay, north of Waihi Beach, today to conduct a beach survey.
• Other planned clean-up operations for the week will be determined by weather conditions. Bad weather is expected in the Western Bay of Plenty over the next few days .

Oil spill response

• No oil spill response clean-up operations took place over the weekend.
• Members of the public are encouraged to report any oil sightings to 0800 OIL SPILL.
• Ongoing shoreline clean-up assessment of affected areas will continue.
• National On Scene Commander Rob Service said the further removal of oil from the wreck by salvors was positive news for the oil spill response team. “This has further reduced the threat of more oil spilling into the environment. Every drop of oil removed from the wreck is oil that will not go into the sea, so it’s great to see this progress. This is complex work as the remaining oil is very inaccessible, so it's really good news.”

 

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Friday 16 March

Salvage

• The crane barge Smit Borneo is now reconnected to Rena on the starboard side of the partially submerged stern section.
• Svitzer salvors have attached a hot tap to the starboard wing tank in an effort to extract the remaining oil in the submerged tank.
• Yesterday, they removed an estimated 10 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the number 5 starboard tank
• While the exact figure of oil left in this tank is unknown, it is estimated to be up to 30 tonnes.
• The weather forecast is for moderate winds, gusting up to 20 knots over the weekend.

Container and debris recovery

• The Braemar recovery team has been working with divers to retrieve parts of two submerged containers from the seabed at the north end of Motiti Island. The containers are lying in water about six metres deep. The divers are using air-driven equipment to cut the containers into pieces so they can be winched onto a barge.
• The team is also continuing maintenance work on Matakana Island today, picking up fresh debris and “bits and pieces” which have washed ashore.
• The team has also surveyed beaches in preparation for the Easter break, and found most to be clear of debris. Waihi Beach is clear but gloves found buried in the sand are still being collected from the Bowentown area, along with some debris. At the Bowentown Heads, Shelly Bay and Anzac Bay appear to be debris free. Some container insulation foam is to be collected from Papamoa Beach.
• Container numbers remain unchanged from Monday. A total of 573 have been retrieved from the wreck by Svitzer salvors, and 72 from the sea or shore by Braemar Howells container recovery teams, making a total of 645 accounted for on shore.
• 21 total containers have been located on the sea bed away from Rena, but are yet to be recovered

Oil spill response

• No oil spill response clean-up operations have taken place this week.
• Shoreline clean up assessment teams are continuing to assess and reassess affected areas at regular intervals. A team working near Sulphur Point this week identified and picked up a small amount of oil, however in general, the teams have reported clear results following clean-up operations.
• There is still residual oil in the sand which will from time to time be exposed – members of the public are encouraged to report any oil sightings to the oil spill response team on 0800 OIL SPILL.
• Oil spill response clean-up operations on Matakana Island have been suspended while Braemar Howells continues with debris recovery.

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Week 22: 7 - 13 March

Monday 12 March

Salvage

• The Smit Borneo has returned to the Rena wreck site and currently has 6 anchors secured in position. Svitzer advise the tugs, Singapore, Go Canopus and Koraki are assisting. Two connections to the Rena are still to be made, and will hopefully be completed today or tomorrow at latest, subject to sea/swell conditions at the site.
• Current weather conditions are for an easterly swell of 1.1m, with a maximum wave height of 2.8m, with northerly winds of 20 knots, turning southerly in the evening.
• The forecast for tomorrow is for swells to remain at 1.1m, with a total expected wave height of 2.5m, with winds from the north, turning to SE on Wednesday.

Containers

• Weekend clean-up operations by the Braemar Howells team included dragging debris up above the high tide mark at the base of Mauao (Mt Maunganui). The intention is to remove the debris - found on the western side of Mauao – today. Debris includes a couch, plywood and foam from refrigerated containers.
• A survey of Pukehina Beach was conducted over the weekend. While the beach was found to be clear, debris already gathered by locals will be collected by Braemar in the near future.
• Clean-up operations at Motiti Island will resume mid week if an expected window of improved weather occurs. There, the retrieval of debris under the water and on the tide line at the northern part of the island will be continued. Debris is mainly plastic and container pieces.
• Container numbers remain unchanged from Friday. A total of 573 have been retrieved from the wreck, and 72 from the sea or shore.
• 21 total containers located away from Rena, but yet to be recovered.

MNZ / Spill response

• 50-100 people attended a community event to celebrate the contribution of the Rena volunteers in drizzly conditions at the Main Mount beach yesterday. MNZ Director Keith Manch and local body officials thanked the volunteers for their fantastic contribution to the recovery effort. Photos of the event are available from the Rena gallery.
• Operations at Whangaparoa were completed on Friday. There are currently no further operations planned for this week, but responders remain ready should there be any reports of fresh oil released.
• There have been no new reports of oiled wildlife.

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Friday 9 March

Salvage

• During an over-flight at the wreck location on 08/03, some oil sheen was evident in between the wreck sections and in places it was noted to be black oil with brown scum. The estimated size of the sheen was about 250m by 50m. A sheen trail also led from the wreck in a northerly direction for about 0.6 miles away from the wreck.
• The main deck of the fore section was noted to be clear of containers and salvors’ equipment in general.
• No salvors or salvage assets are working at the wreck site due to weather conditions.
• At Astrolabe, SE sector winds of about 20 knots are expected, easing further Saturday morning with light N-NW sector winds Saturday afternoon. Indications are that light SE sector winds will develop for a time Sunday morning, becoming NE and 10-15 knots Sunday afternoon and 15-20 knots sustained through until Monday morning, before 15-20 knots W-NW winds develop Monday afternoon. The long range outlook is for moderate to strong W-SE sector winds Tuesday morning becoming E-SE through until Tuesday and easing Wednesday.
• The forecast seas state at Astrolabe is expected to increase to 1.5-2.0m by Friday afternoon and ease to 1.0-1.5m by Saturday afternoon persisting Sunday

Containers (as at 9 March 2012)

• 573 total containers have so far been received onshore from the Rena.
• 72 total containers recovered by Braemar Howells (sea & beach).
• 21 total containers located away from Rena, but yet to be recovered.
• The hatch covers have been cut up in the port area and removed from site for processing.
• White Island and neighbouring Whale Island in the Eastern Bay have been successfully cleared of debris – including plastic twine and timber.
• The BH team has also cleaned Orokawa Bay north of Waihi, where further debris has come ashore, and Tuapiro Point near Katikati.
• Braemar Operations Manager Claudene Sharp says Braemar is working on plans for ongoing maintenance to deal with the issue of debris which is continuing to float up from the seabed and wash ashore, when weather events stir up submerged containers.
• A lengthy operation to remove an estimated 700 tonnes of timber and a further 200 tonnes of general waste from Matakana Island is now virtually complete.
• Plans are being made to tackle submerged containers off the north end of Motiti Island along with debris including plastic twine and plastic sheeting.

MNZ / Spill response

• Clean up operations at Whangaparoa are due to finish later today.The ICC will continue to monitor and respond to reports as required.
• The clean-up of Mt Maunganui has been signed off by local iwi.
• A community event to celebrate and acknowledge the efforts of Rena volunteers will take place on Sunday (refer Media advisory for 9 March 2012).

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Week 22: 29 February - 6 March

Monday 4 March

Salvage

• 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.
• The Go Canopus remained close to the Rena and is monitoring the wreck.
• Wreck and sea/swell conditions were monitored by the Go Canopus over the weekend and details reported to Svitzer every two hours over the weekend. It appears there was no further break-up of the wreck.
• Svitzer flew over the wreck on Saturday to inspect Rena. They noted no further obvious damage to the wreck.
• Svitzer are sending a small salvage team out to Rena today by boat and a helicopter will be used to assist in the removal of the last section of the reefer unit on the fore deck.
• They will also try to install the new mooring chains on the wreck in readiness for the Smit Borneo when it arrives offshore again to resume work.

Containers

• Five months to the day of the Rena grounding Braemar Howells has discharged 571 containers, with a further 72 recovered from the sea or beaches.
• Due to adverse weather conditions no vessels were out at sea over the weekend. Instead, clean up operations were carried out by means of beach surveys between Waihi Beach and Bowentown areas, down the coast to the Kaituna Cut / Papamoa area.
• With the improvement in weather conditions today, a barge and fast response vessel are at White and Whale Islands picking up debris.
• Operations continue at Matakana Island today with helicopter lifting of timber to a waiting barge - other debris will also be moved off the island. Timber that has been wood-chipped will be used to surface roads on the island and work will be underway on that project today.

MNZ / Spill response

• A five-day clean-up operation will begin today near Whangaparoa, towards Cape Runaway. A team of 12 will be working to clear old weathered oil from an area of rocky foreshore.
• There was little activity over the weekend due to the extreme weather conditions

 

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Friday 2 March

Salvage

• 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.
• As a precaution, Svitzer has brought Smit Borneo and other support vessels to port. Salvage operations will resume when the conditions improve.
• Salvors have also removed some equipment and scaffolding from the bow section of Rena, to ensure it is not damaged or washed overboard in the heavy seas.
• While in port, repairs will be undertaken on Smit Borneo to a fairlead, part of a vessel’s mooring system, which was damaged earlier this week. These repairs are expected to take two days.
• Go Canopus will remain at the wreck site over the weekend to monitor the two sections of Rena for any significant movement or changes in position on the reef.
• This week, Smit Borneo has been stationed on the port side of Rena. Work has continued on removing refrigerated containers from the bow section of Rena, and containers from the number 6 hold, which is just in front of where the accommodation deck is on the stern section of Rena.
• Work has also been done on planning for further container removal from the stern section once Smit Borneo moves to the starboard side of the wreck.
• To date, a total of 566 containers have now been removed from Rena by Svitzer, and a further 72 recovered from the shore or water by Braemar Howells container recovery teams, bringing the total number of containers now processed ashore to 638.

Container and debris recovery

• The operation to remove hundreds of tonnes of wood and other debris from Matakana Island is entering its final stages. The Braemar recovery team hope the final helicopter lifts can be carried out next week, weather permitting. Beach grooming and chipping will continue as per original scope of work agreed with all stakeholders.
• On Motiti Island, the team has removed two containers that were smashed into the rocks at the northern tip and a quantity of debris collected from the island’s beaches. Two containers and their contents, located in shallow water offshore are to be retrieved next week.
• The Braemar recovery team has put contingency plans in place for the ‘weather bomb’ forecast to hit this weekend. Operations Manager Claudene Sharp says the storm could agitate containers on the seabed and release more debris which could wash ashore. She’s appealing to the public to please be vigilant and phone the 0800 333 771 line to report any sightings. 

Oil spill response

• There have been no reports over the last week of oil or oiled wildlife.
• Oil spill response clean-up operations on Matakana have been suspended to allow Braemar Howells container recovery teams to complete operations there
• A five-day clean-up operation will on Monday near Whangaparoa, towards Cape Runaway. A team of 12 will be working to clear old weathered oil from an area of rocky foreshore.
• The oil spill response team is ready to respond if any further oil is released from the wreck over the next couple of days. Trajectory modelling currently shows any release of oil or debris being carried offshore.
• The total of oil and oily waste collected by oil spill response teams to date is 1041 tonnes.

 

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Week 21: 22 – 28 February

Monday 27 February

Salvage

• Operations over the weekend saw the number of containers recovered from Rena rise to 561.
• 1 reefer container has been removed in two sections and as scrap onto a barge
• 4 x 20 foot containers from Hold No.6 recovered on Sunday.
• 76 big bags of mussels removed to a barge on Saturday
• 50 big bags of lamb meat removed to the barge on Friday.
• General pieces of scrap collected from cargo hold No.6.
• Helicopters are still being used to assist in discharge of the cargo and containers from Rena.
• 1 reefer containing cargo, 3 x 40 foot empty reefer containers, ½ x 40 foot empty reefer container and 1 x 20 foot empty container remain on the foredeck and are to be removed. A helicopter will be used to remove the containers once they have been cut into sections and passed to the barge for transport ashore and disposal.
• Svitzer have plans to empty the meat reefer, in addition to further dive operations in the aft section of the wreck (conditions permitting).
• Future work on the forward section will also include the recovery mooring ropes and salvage equipment which is no longer required on the bow section.
• Svitzer are planning on shifting the Smit Borneo later in the week using the Go Canopus to run anchors.

Weather

• The total number of containers recovered from the sea or shore remains at 71.
• Further loads of timber and bagged debris were lifted by helicopter to a waiting barge at Matakana Island over the weekend.
• Beach surveys along the Mount Maunganui and Papamoa shoreline were held and small pieces of foam debris were collected – this follows extensive clean up operations on these beaches over the past week.
• Braemar Howell’s routine aerial reconnaissance flight was held yesterday. The plane combed the coastline looking for debris but nothing of significance was found.

Port/Beaches

• 76 bags from reefers on board the Rena and two half scrap reefer container pieces received via barge on shore.
• Teams continue to strap timber into bundles on Matakana beach in readiness for heli-lift operations.
• Debris collection continues along Mount Beach to Harrisons Cut. Teams also collected gloves off the beach at Tua Piro Bay & Bowentown.

MNZ/spill response

• Clean-up operations have been undertaken at Rabbit Island, with ongoing work planned for today and tomorrow at Matakana Island and at Kulim Park and Harbour Drive.
• From tomorrow a team will be working on clean up operations in the Cape Kidnappers area.
• Members of the public are encouraged to continue calling the wildlife response line 0800 333 771 if they see any wildlife affected by oil. From today, this number will divert to the local Department of Conservation office, which will respond to these calls. Any wildlife requiring rehabilitation will be taken to Massey University, where they will be cared for by members of the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team.
• Waste total remains at 1,044m3

 

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Friday 24 February

Salvage

• 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.
• Due to swell conditions, the crane barge Smit Borneo is now positioned about 250m off the port side of Rena. It is intended to move Smit Borneo to the starboard side of Rena when conditions allow – it is expected to take a couple of days to get the barge into position.
• Salvors have continued to focus this week on removing cargo from the refrigerated containers on the bow section of Rena, and emptying holds in the stern section.
• Salvors have also this week managed to extract a further 10.3 cubic metres of fuel from the engine room port side slop tank in the stern section of the wreck. This was done using the hot tapping technique. The amount of residual oil on the wreck remains in the tens of tonnes.

Container and debris recovery

• The number of containers recovered from the sea and beaches by Braemar has now risen to 71 after a container was removed from a cliff face at Mataroa Bay, north of Waihi Beach this week. A total of 74 helicopter lifts saw the bay cleared of the container and its contents, which was all timber. The container was cut in to pieces in order to be moved. Those pieces and the timber were then transported by helicopter to a waiting barge.
• A further 17 containers have been located away from Rena but are yet to be recovered.
• Braemar staff have continued debris clean-up operations at Bowentown this week where the sea had churned up latex gloves previously buried in the sand.
• Stockpiling of timber continued at Matakana Island where a beach groomer has also been in action.
• Braemar has undertaken surveys of beaches in the Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne areas following reports of a small amount of possible Rena debris washing ashore.

Oil spill response

• National On Scene Commander Rob Service said from an oil spill response perspective the further removal of 10.3 cubic metres of oil from Rena was a real positive and demonstrated the determination of the salvors to continue to strip all oil they can from the wreck. “That’s another 10 cubic metres of oil that will not go into the water, so it’s a really pleasing result,” said Mr Service.
• Mr Service noted a media report this week saying oil had reached the Hawke’s Bay was incorrect. Some debris had been reported in the Hawke’s Bay area and Braemar Howells teams were responding to this. Braemar Howells had confirmed the debris was not oiled.
• Clean-up operations and shoreline clean-up assessment team surveys this week have continued on Matakana Island, Papamoa, Leisure Island, Rabbit Island and the Kulim Park area.
• Clean-up operations were also conducted on the southern part of Motiti Island this week.
• There have been no public reports of sightings of fresh oil or oiled birds this week
• The wildlife team has now been stood down from the ICC, effective from today. However, the wildlife response capability remains in place, with local wildlife experts and the Department of Conservation available to respond to reports of affected animals, and the team at Massey University ready to treat and rehabilitate any affected wildlife. The National Oiled Wildlife Response Team also remains on standby to escalate the response should they be required.
• Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting any sightings of oiled birds to the wildlife number on 0800 333 771.

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Week 20: 15 – 21 February

Monday 20 February

Salvage

• 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.
• The Smit Borneo is secured on the port quarter of Rena by wire ropes and positioned to work the aft holds and sea floor in the immediate vicinity.
• The No.7 port side hatch cover was removed and wet stored at location.
• 53 big bags containing ‘lamb’ were discharged to the ST-60 from formerly refrigerated (reefer) containers.
• One reefer unit was cut into two pieces and removed to the ST-60.
• One container carrying ferro-silicon has been ‘wet stored’ in 9m of water near Rena after higher than normal gas levels were detected. Plans are in place for its removal.
• Electronic sensor readings on the fore & aft section of Rena indicate no significant changes.
• Svitzer plan to continue today with removal of cargo from the reefer units and cut them as required for disposal ashore.
• Dive operations will continue (conditions permitting) in the aft section of the wreck, initially working in hold No.7 and then working towards shifting into No.5 starboard side, when possible.
• The weather forecast for today is for Easterly winds of around 15 knots, changing later in the day back to the North and easing to light variable winds for Tuesday morning, rising to 16 knots on Tuesday afternoon and later increasing to 20-25 knot Northerlies Wednesday.

• The sea state is expected to remain around 1.0m through until Tuesday. A strengthening northerly wind will elevate the sea state through Wednesday with around 2.0m significant wave heights currently expected by Wednesday afternoon / Thursday morning. Around 2.2m significant wave heights are expected on Thursday.

Harbour master

• The Harbour Master reports there were 4 incursions into the exclusion zone over the weekend, which have been dealt with.
• However, all vessel operators are reminded that there is still a 3NM water and air exclusion zone around and above the Rena for operational safety reasons.

Containers

• The number of containers retrieved from the decks of Rena and brought to Port now stands at 544. The number retrieved from the sea and beaches remains 70.
• A further 17 total have been located away from Rena, but are yet to be recovered.
• Container debris has been removed from Bowentown.
• Blue twine – enough to fill two skips – was collected from the ocean yesterday (Sunday). A helicopter was used to locate the floating twine which was then collected by fast response vessel and barge. The twine was found between Waihi Beach and Mayor Island.
• Beach team members collected foam from the shore between Mount Maunganui main beach and Papamoa Domain yesterday. The foam was from refrigerated containers.
• Braemar / Unimar barges were also used over the weekend to transport not only discharged containers, parts of containers, and twine but also 119 bulk bags of lamb that were moved from the Rena and sent straight to landfills.
• Sonar sweeps continued over the weekend.

MNZ / Spill response

• A clean up team of 16 will be working on Motiti Island this week.
• Planning is continuing for operations on the East Coast and Matakana Island.

• The last oil-affected birds were successfully released back into the wild on Friday. Monitoring over the weekend detected no problems with these birds. However, two un-oiled birds that appear to have died of natural causes were found.
• The spill response team remains ready to scale up quickly should more oil be released from Rena.
• The total waste collected remains at 1,044m3.

 

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Friday 17 February

• Good progress is currently being made by salvors in removing containers and debris from Rena. Fifteen containers (8 yesterday and 7 on Wednesday) have been removed from the aft section of Rena.
• One refrigerated container which had earlier been cut up has been discharged on to the ST60
• The crane barge Smit Borneo is positioned off the port side of Rena, secured with wire ropes.
• Work has been continuing this week on removing containers from the aft section of Rena. Salvors have also removed the last two refrigerated containers from the forward section of Rena.
• Helicopter operations, removing cut up pieces of containers, are continuing.
• Dive operations will continue around the submerged stern section of the wreck.
• There are currently north east winds of around 15 knots out at the Astrolabe Reef – these are forecast to reduce through today and tomorrow.

Container and debris recovery

• In total, 514 containers have been recovered from Rena by salvors and processed ashore by Braemar Howells. A further 70 containers have been recovered from land and sea by Braemar Howells teams, making the total ashore now 584.
• A Braemar Howells recovery team is removing the last of the steel container pieces from Bowentown today.
• 70 bags of fish product have been brought ashore from Rena and will be taken to the Waikato Landfill for disposal.
• More wood is being lifted from Matakana Island via helicopter today.
• Two vessels are continuing sonar sweeps of the sea floor for missing containers.

Oil spill response

• Oil spill response clean-up teams are working on Matakana Island and Mount Maunganui today. National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said only one shelly beach area on the Mount still required cleaning.
• A clean-up operation will begin on Motiti Island on Monday – an oil spill response team of 16 will be deployed early Monday morning to work through to the following Saturday.
• Seven penguins were released near Motiti Island today – these penguins will be observed today and tomorrow and then the wildlife team on Motiti Island will leave the island.

 

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Week 19: 8–14 February

Monday 13 February

• The Smit Borneo was secured on the port quarter of the Rena by wire ropes and positioned to work the aft holds and sea floor in the immediate vicinity.
• 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.
• The top and side of a wood container in bay 12 was removed. The remains of another wood container and its contents were also removed from bay 12.
• The remains of a container were removed from bay 16.
• The first (formerly) refrigerated container contents were removed from bay 12.
• Work on cutting and grinding containers continues, with assistance from helicopters to remove debris.
• The vessel’s fore section continues to show movement, which is unchanged from that detected previously. There is a noticeable heave and roll on both the bow and stern sections being detected by the electronic sensors, with deformation being observed on deck.
• Braemar Howells have received a total of 491 containers from the Rena, and recovered another 70 from the sea/beaches. A further 17 have been located which are still to be recovered. This brings the total either recovered or located to 578.
• About 250 containers are estimated to be below decks in the forward section of the wreck. However, due to the significant damage to the vessel and to the remaining containers, it is impossible to gain an accurate count of exactly how many may still remain on board the aft section or elsewhere.
• Over the weekend, Braemar Howells received 8 more containers from the flooded hulls of Rena.
• The containers’ cargo included home brew kits, milk powder and paper pulp. This cargo will be processed this week at Truman Lane (Braemar’s specialised facility for dealing with damaged containers and perished cargo).
• This morning Braemar received one lot of reefer (refrigerated) contents. This formerly refrigerated container was carrying packaged fish. The fish was sent straight to the landfill.
• Other operations over the weekend included the removal of the end of a container that had been bedded in the sand at Bowentown. It was towed to Anzac Bay where it awaits removal.
• Shoreline Clean Up Assessment Teams (SCAT) continue to monitor all beaches between Matakana and Maketu. Detailed surveys were undertaken over the weekend at the Mount and Maketu and have identified the amount of remaining work.
• Teams continue working at Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island, where oil trapped in gullies is proving slow to recover.
• SCAT surveys have been completed at the Northern end of Motiti Island. Plans are in place to conduct operations as soon as tidal conditions allow.
• On going maintenance on stores and equipment to ensure that appropriate resources are ready to respond to the remaining risk.

 

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Friday 10 February

• 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.
• The salvors current focus is on removing 14 formerly refrigerated containers above decks on the forward part of the vessel, as well as 4 containers containing wood. This work is estimated to take 2-3 weeks, but is dependent on weather conditions and safety. Four tonnes of scaffolding is being erected by stevedores to allow access to these containers. All milk powder from containers has now been removed from Rena.
• The McDermott heavy lift helicopter continues to remove remains of damaged containers.
• Sensors on the forward part of Rena are detecting ongoing movement. Sensors have also now been installed on the aft section.
• The forward part of the wreck is heaving and rolling, but currently remains fast on the reef.
• Weather forecasts are currently good, with winds increasing to about 20kts in the afternoon and seas of 1.7m. Conditions for Saturday currently look favourable.
• However, operations still remain extremely weather dependent
• To date, 479 containers have been removed from Rena, with an additional 70 recovered from the water.
• Braemar Howells will be heli-lifting more loads of stacked timber from Matakana Island today. About 70 lifts were carried out yesterday, with the helicopter transferring the timber to a barge waiting offshore to take it to the port.
• The team is pleased to report also that remote Orokawa Bay, to the north of Waihi Beach, has been completely cleared. Timber, and a container that was part-submerged in the shallows, have all removed.  The helicopter lifted 8 loads from Orokawa Bay.
• A survey has also been carried out of the remaining debris on Motiti Island which is to be removed in coming days.
• Shoreline Clean Up Assessment Teams (SCAT) are focusing on Matakana Island in response to reports of old, weathered oil.
• Teams are also working at Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island, with an estimated week’s worth of work left before the area can be signed off as clean.
• SCAT surveys have been completed at the Northern end of Motiti Island. Work there will start the week after next.
• Oil has been reported ashore at Cape Runaway, a team is checking this and assessing the level of work that maybe required.
• No new oiled wildlife have been reported. Two penguins and 1 grey-faced petrel have been released today, with 6 penguins scheduled for release later next week. One bird is still in care.

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Wednesday 8 February

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.

Salvors also worked on securing hatch covers on the bow section which had been observed moving with the swell late last week. This work is ongoing.

No dive operations were undertaken yesterday due to the swell, but it is hoped divers will be able to resume inspecting the stern section today.

Wind and swell conditions are forecast to ease today and remain good until Friday.

Work will continue today on removing the timber and securing hatch covers. Salvors also expect to begin installing scaffolding to assist with the removal of the content of the remaining refrigerated containers on the deck of the bow section.

Braemar Howells teams have received 479 containers removed from Rena by salvors and a further 70 recovered from the sea and beaches, making a total of 549 now ashore.

Heli-lifting of debris from Matakana Island will take place tomorrow and Friday.

A survey of the Motiti Island beach line will be conducted over the next two days in preparation for more clean-up operations

Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams are doing surveys on Motiti Island and areas towards the East Cape today, checking for areas that have been previously affected by oil or following up on reports from the public.

Yesterday, the teams identified some areas affected by oil that may require further clean-up work – these have been logged and will be followed up by clean-up teams once the surveys are complete.

A total of 50 oil spill responders are working on clean-up operations in the field today - 26 on Matakana Island, 16 on Mount Maunganui, 16 on Leisure Island and 8 on Rabbit Island.

 

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Week 18: 1–7 February

Tuesday 7 February

Work continued over the weekend on removing debris and parts of containers from the front section of Rena.

Sea swells have prevented dive operations over the past couple of days. It is hoped the sea state will allow dive inspections of the stern section of Rena to resume either this afternoon or, more likely, tomorrow.

Salvors will continue removing wood and milk powder from the front section of Rena by helicopter today.

Weather out at Astrolabe Reef is forecast to ease this morning and remain good for salvage operations for the next few days.

Environmental clean-up specialists Braemar Howells advise Matakana Island will be the main focus of clean-up operations this week. Work continues there on consolidating debris into bundles that will then be transported by helicopter to a waiting barge.

Shoreline clean-up assessment teams will be working today in areas east of Whakatane and on Motiti Island.

Oiled wildlife teams will also be working in the same areas, checking for affected wildlife.

 

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Friday 3 February

Salvors have experienced a good week of progress in removing containers and debris fromRena.

However, this remains a challenging and time-consuming task, involving the cutting up of containers and manually removing debris and damaged contents so it can be taken ashore.

The McDermott heavy lift helicopter continues to be used to recover debris. The helicopter has been removing loads of up to 2.5 tonnes from the wreck.

475 containers have been removed fromRena.

Cargo and remains from wood containers were removed yesterday by the McDermott helicopter, with a 20 foot container from Bay 4 also removed. Bay 4 is now empty.

A second helicopter completed 8 lifts of paper and also leather.

Two damaged hatch covers were lifted off Rena by theSmit Borneo.

Some movement in the forward part of the wreck continues to be detected as the structure continues to deteriorate, but this is not unexpected. This movement is due to the weight of containers being lifted off the wreck, as well the internal structure being exposed to the force of sea and the movement of containers up and down inside the holds.

Salvors and naval architects continue to monitor the wreck to ensure it remains safe to work on.

Salvors are continuing to work on surveying the area around the submerged rear section of the Rena with divers and are attempting to source a ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) to help with mapping.

No diving work was carried out yesterday afternoon due to the choppy conditions.

A significant number of damaged containers and a large amount of debris remain on the sea floor aroundRena.

The weather forecast for today is for winds of 18 knots, gusting to 22 knots from the South-South-East, with a swell and sea conditions of about 2m. Weather is overcast and seas choppy. This is expected to continue through to Sunday.

Braemar Howells advises that more than 220 tonnes of container debris has been removed from Matakana Island in combined helicopter and barge operations. This has included large tonnages of milk powder and recycled paper.

A total of eleven containers have been removed from the island, some of them empty – and others in a badly damaged condition which have been cut up.

There has been excellent support from local iwi for the recovery operation.

Next week the Braemar team will focus on further cleaning of Matakana’s beaches – the work will include lifting piles of stacked wood and timber onto a barge offshore.

A wooden structure built at Orokawa out of timber debris has been removed for safety reasons. People are asked to please report any containers or debris to 0800 333 771.

MNZ continues to assess the level of risk and resources needed to respond to theRenaand has recently relocated and re-sized the ICC to reflect this. The ICC has a large warehouse space which will allow it to expand if the scale of response needs to escalate again.

About 25 people are currently working in the ICC with more in the field. The response team comprises people from all round the country, working in areas such as planning, logistics, salvage, wildlife, administration, finance etc.

Small amounts of oil continue to trickle fromRenaproducing a light sheen.

30 people were working on Matakana yesterday (Thursday) and two teams of 15 each were working at Mt Maunganui and Leisure Island, and this is continuing today. A team of 5 is also working at Ongare Point.

17 Little blue penguins and 1 grey-faced petrel are being cared for at Massey University, with another 4 penguins being cared for in Tauranga.

There are tentative plans to release 8 penguins next week, conditions permitting.

Small amounts of oil continue to trickle fromRenaproducing a light sheen.

A wildlife team that has been working at Motiti will return to Tauranga today.

The Te Maunga wildlife facility has been largely dismantled and will be passed back to Tauranga City Council shortly.

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Wednesday 1 February

The Svitzer salvage team yesterday removed four packets of wood via helicopter.Two 40-foot containers were also removed from the wreck – they were cut into pieces first. One 20-foot container was also removed. Salvors also undertook manual discharge of containers containing leather skins.

The focus for salvors is ongoing container and debris removal from the forward section of Rena. Engineers are on board assessing options for different lifting systems.

Braemer Howells clean-up operations have so far this week focused primarily on Matakana Island and just north of Waihi Beach.

Timber was stacked and towed to a waiting barge at Orokawa Bay yesterday. The container still on the beach at this bay will be cut up and removed in the near future.

Helicopter and barge operations continue at Matakana Island with timber, bits of container and other debris being removed.

A total of 463 containers have been recovered fromiby salvors and discharged at the port by Braemar Howells. A further 65 have been recovered from the beaches and the water.

On Tuesday, shoreline clean-up assessment teams surveyed beaches from Mount Maunganui to Papamoa East. No significant oiling was identified during these surveys.

Today, the teams will be assessing the beaches from Papamoa East through to the Kaituna Cut. All of the results from these surveys are fed into the planning process and guide the clean-up teams.

Oil spill response clean-up teams are currently focusing on Matakana Island, Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island. Around 50 people are working in the field today. A further 15 will be working on Matakana Island tomorrow.

The incident command centre (ICC) has moved from the old Foodtown on the corner of Cameron Road and Fourteenth Ave to a smaller space in Greerton. This is part of the “right sizing” of the operation. Around 25 people are currently managing the clean-up operation and overseeing the salvage operation from the ICC. The new ICC has office space in the front and a large warehouse in the back – this provides the response team with the ability to scale up if required.

Oiled wildlife response teams are on Motiti Island today, checking on wildlife there.

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Week 17: 25–31 January

Monday 30 January

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

The Smit Borneo will be repositioned during the day to the stern of the Rena

The McDermott heavy lift helicopter is being readied for container removal operations and will focus on removing damaged containers and debris from Bay 12, Row 12 and Bay 86

55 large bags of milk powder were yesterday (29/1) transferred via helicopter to the barge ST 60

Steverdores cut up containers from various bays on Rena yesterday, which were removed by helicopter

Platforms for emergency winching operations have been installed on the forward section of Rena

An increase in movement in the forward section of Rena has been detected.

The weather forecast for this week is currently favourable, with an easterly breeze and 0.4m swell at present

Various vessels continue to recover debris and containers from various locations, with 65 containers recovered from the water

The debris of 9 containers has been recovered from Matakana Island, with the remains of 3 more to be collected

A total of 463 containers have been received directly from Rena for processing at the port.

This morning’s overflight of Rena detected some black oil in the water within the confines of the wreck between the separated sections of the vessel. Salvors will mop up this oil as operations allow.

Responders remain ready to deal with any further releases of oil, with the bulk of clean up operations due to resume tomorrow

There was a further successful release of little blue penguins today.

Read the media release for Monday 30 January:

Rena response (media update 184) – 10.40am

 

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Friday 27 January

Weather conditions are not favourable for salvage operations today, with winds of up to 30 knots and swells of up to 2m. The weather is forecast to remain unsettled over the weekend. The salvage team will take advantage of good weather windows when they can.

It is unlikely any container removal will be undertaken today, so salvors will continue with the emptying of containers on board and removal of bags of cargo.

The Braemar recovery team has been working in difficult conditions at Bowentown to cut up a container that's partly submerged. It's a challenging task because of strong tidal currents which mean that divers with special underwater cutting equipment can only work at low tide.

Shoreline debris clean up is continuing at Matakana Island and on the East Cape.

The recovery team has so far processed 497 containers – this comprises 441 that have been lifted off the wreck by the salvors and 56 that have been collected at sea or from beaches by Braemar vessels.

Beachgoers are reminded to stay away from any container debris sighted – and asked to please not touch container debris. Members of the public are asked to please phone in any sightings of containers or debris to 0800 333 771.

A second team will be working along East Cape/Te Kaha today – yesterday they located some oiled debris but no oil.

The tide times mean that teams working at Leisure Island (Motoriki) and Mauao, will be starting after midday today and working into the evening.

An environmental assessment team will be inspecting Rabbit Island today to assess the levels of residual oil there.

The total amount of waste collected by the oil spill response team so far is 1,020 tonnes.

Massey University is now accommodating 26 birds – 25 little blue penguins and one grey faced petrel. One petrel died in care yesterday.

Te Maunga wildlife site is being inspected to ensure it is ready to be handed back to the owners. Some equipment is still to be moved out.

A team of three working on Motiti's southern beaches yesterday found no oiled birds or oil, but did pick up some twine and netting.

Read the media release for Friday 27January:

Rena response (media update 183) – 10.40am

 

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Thursday 26 January

The removal of containers from the bow section of Rena remains the priority for the Svitzer salvage team. Yesterday, salvors removed one container of paper products.

The weather is forecast to deteriorate with wind rising to 20 knots and swells increasing from 1m to 2m around the wreck. The rough weather is forecast to remain on Friday and settle on Saturday.

Salvors are today installing sliding beams on the bow section. These will allow salvors to move containers overboard where they can be reached and recovered by the Smit Borneo crane, when weather conditions permit.

Braemar Howells recovery team has successfully unloaded the dangerous goods containers removed from the bow section of Rena. The containers held empty hydrogen peroxide tanks and did not pose a major hazard. Plans are in hand to remove 25 one-tonne bags of rubbish from Motiti Island next week in a helilift. The waste is varied and includes timber and plastic. Divers are using specialised equipment to cut up two containers which are partly submerged in the Bowentown area.

This morning's observation flight confirmed a light silver and rainbow sheen stretching south of the wreck for about 4km.

3Thirty oil spill responders are working at Leisure Island and the Mount today. Another team of seven will be at Tuapiro and Kauri Point. Shoreline clean-up assessment teams are working on the East coast identifying priority sites for oil spill response activity. An environmental team is on Matakana Island today, assessing the levels of residual oil there.

Twenty-five little blue penguins and two grey faced petrels remain in care at Massey University. Wildlife operations at Motiti Island this week have located no oiled birds. One little blue penguin was captured at the Mount yesterday with light oiling on its feet. No other oiled birds have been located over the past few days. Three dead birds picked up yesterday were not oiled.

Read the media release for Thursday 26 January:

Rena response (media update 182) – 10.40am

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Wednesday 25 January

The priority for the Svitzer salvage team continues to be the removal of containers from the bow section of Rena. Salvors yesterday removed 29 packets of wood, and 9 tonnes of container lashing equipment from the bow section yesterday. These were lifted off by helicopter as conditions did not allow the barge Smit Borneo close enough to the wreck to transfer by crane.

Dive inspections are continuing to assess the submerged stern section, to assess the next steps of the salvage operation. The dive inspections are also surveying the surrounding reef to assess the easiest access points for Smit Borneo.

The first of the Rena containers located by sonar have been identified. Three containers were visually identified by Braemar Howells staff yesterday. All were empty and a check against the cargo manifest confirmed that none were carrying goods at the time of the Rena grounding. All were on the seabed between the wreck and Motiti Island. Salvor divers have also identified a fourth container on the seabed near the wreck.

More than 300 Braemar staff and contractors are working on various debris and container clean-up operations. This includes those involved in debris removal, manning vessels, machinery operators, waste depot workers, and transport and crane operators.

Wednesday's scope of work included a continued clean-up at Shelley Bay, and removal of skips of debris from Matakana Island. Meanwhile, debris was collected from Slipper Island in the Coromandel yesterday. Teams of local volunteers are undertaking oil spill clean-up operations at Matakana Island for the next two days. Around 30 oil spill responders are working on clean-up operations at Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island. Another team of oil spill responders is working at Kauri Point where shoreline clean-up assessment teams identified some oil submerged under sea lettuce earlier in the week.

There have been no oiled birds found by wildlife patrols over the past week.Twenty-five little blue penguins and 2 grey faced petrels remain in care at Massey University – these will be released back in the Bay of Plenty when their health and their habitats are ready.

Work is continuing on the removal of the Te Maunga facility which will be completely removed by the end of the week. Some oiled wildlife response equipment, including the large containers which formed the hub of the facility, will remain in Tauranga in the event the response team needs to rebuild the centre.

Read the media release for Wednesday 25 January:

Rena response (media update 181) – 10.40am

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Week 16: 18–24 January

Tuesday 24 January

Salvors yesterday removed four dangerous goods containers from the bow of Rena.These dangerous goods containers held empty tanks which formerly held hydrogen peroxide and still have residual amounts of the chemical inside. Braemar Howells has plans and procedures in place for handling the containers when they are brought ashore. This removal means there are no dangerous goods containers left above deck on Rena. There are still dangerous goods containers in the holds of the wreck.

The total number of containers removed from Rena since it broke in half is now 43. Salvors also removed 18 packets of timber manually from the bow section yesterday – approximately half a container load.

Observation flights have identified no significant changes to the two sections of the wreck and the weather is forecast to remain clear for the next few days.

More than 2,300 tonnes of waste has been processed by Braemar Howells – the company responsible for distressed container and cargo recovery – since the Rena grounding. Braemar has processed about 2,325 tonnes of waste.

Figures show that 1,870 tonnes of waste has gone to landfills, including about 25 tonnes of milk powder. A total of 117 tonnes of liquid waste has been processed and taken away for disposal by an environmental company. Liquid waste does not include oil, and is predominantly blood washed out of refrigerated containers.The tonnage of waste collected and processed does not include timber. A break-down in figures shows that waste processed to date includes about 177 tonnes from Waihi Beach and 77 tonnes from Matakana Island.

Recently released figures also show that Braemar has processed 120 containers. Meanwhile, fridges are making an appearance on the debris clean-up front. Braemar confirms that at least four fridges have washed up on shore – one on Slipper Island, one on Matakana and two on the East Cape. Small amounts of debris – including the fridge – have been found as far north as Slipper Island. This has been confirmed by MNZ's shoreline clean-up assessment team.

A number of one-tonne bags have been delivered to Motiti Island today for ongoing debris collection. Around 40 oil spill responders are working today on clean-up operations at the Mount, on Matakana, Rabbit and Leisure islands and at Kauri Point and a shoreline clean-up assessment team is working north of Kauri Point today.

An aerial observation flight this morning confirmed a metallic sheen around the wreck with a small amount of dark oil within it. A lighter sheen was observed stretching about 3km from the wreck.

Members of the public are urged to please contact the 0800 OIL SPILL (0800 645 774) if they come across oil – please provide the best details possible about the location of the oil, and an estimate of the amount observed. Every report is fed into our planning process and followed up.

No oiled birds were picked up over the last 24 hours. Work is continuing on demobilising the Te Maunga wildlife facility. It is expected all equipment will be completely removed this week. Some response equipment will be kept in the Bay of Plenty in case there is a need to escalate the wildlife response.

Read the media release for Tuesday 24 January:

Rena response (media update 180) – 10.30am

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Monday 23 January

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.

Sea conditions have eased this morning and Smit Borneo is close alongside. Container removal has begun with one container removed by 9am.

In total, 60 bags of milk powder have been manually removed from the bow section of Rena, meaning two containers formerly filled with bags of milk powder are now empty.

Braemar Howells' clean up operations over the weekend saw 23 containers offloaded at the port on Saturday, and six on Sunday. This brings the total to 436 containers brought ashore to date, since the grounding of Rena.

Debris removal operations are continuing at Bowentown Heads and Shelley Bay today. A boat team is working on debris removal on the East Cape.

Braemar Howells planned operations for the week ahead include debris removal on Motiti Island, which must take place during the two hours on either side of low tide. These operations will also be underway at Matakana Island. Bagged waste removal will be undertaken at Tuapior Rd near Katikati.

Later in the week, when weather conditions allow, Braemar Howells teams will be working at Orokawa Bay – removing timber from a 40ft container and stacking it above the high tide mark for removal of both the timber and the container.

Oil spill response clean-up operations are underway today at Mount Maunganui, Leisure Island, Matakana Island and Rabbit Island.

A shoreline clean-up assessment team is working at Kauri Point and the oil spill response team remains ready to respond to any reports of oil sightings from the public.

Work is continuing on demobilising the oiled wildlife facility at Te Maunga. It is expected the facility will be completely removed this week.

Any oiled birds picked up by the wildlife team will be stabilised in Tauranga before being transferred to Massey University in Palmerston North for treatment and rehabilitation. They will all be released back into the Bay of Plenty once they are healthy and their habitats ready.

Currently, the Massey University facility is caring for 2 grey faced petrels and 25 little blue penguins.

The oiled wildlife response team picked up one lightly oiled juvenile little blue penguin from Whale Island over the weekend.

Read media releases for Monday 23 January:

Rena response (media update 179) – 10.30am

Rena response (media update 178) – 7.50am

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Sunday 22 January

There were no media releases on Sunday.

Saturday 21 January

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.

Sea conditions have eased this morning and Smit Borneo is close alongside. Container removal has begun with one container removed by 9am.

In total, 60 bags of milk powder have been manually removed from the bow section of Rena, meaning two containers formerly filled with bags of milk powder are now empty.

Weather out at Astrolabe Reef is fine today. South west winds of around 20 knots observed early this morning have now eased to around 6–7 knots. The sea state is around .4m. The fine weather is forecast to continue tomorrow.

Braemar Howells' clean up operations over the weekend saw 23 containers offloaded at the port on Saturday, and six on Sunday. This brings the total to 436 containers brought ashore to date, since the grounding of Rena.

Debris removal operations are continuing at Bowentown Heads and Shelley Bay today. A boat team is working on debris removal on the East Cape.

Braemar Howells planned operations for the week ahead include debris removal on Motiti Island, which must take place during the two hours on either side of low tide. These operations will also be underway at Matakana Island. Bagged waste removal will be undertaken at Tuapior Rd near Katikati.

Later in the week, when weather conditions allow, Braemar Howells teams will be working at Orokawa Bay – removing timber from a 40ft container and stacking it above the high tide mark for removal of both the timber and the container.

Oil spill response clean-up operations are underway today at Mount Maunganui, Leisure Island, Matakana Island and Rabbit Island.

A shoreline clean-up assessment team is working at Kauri Point.

The oil spill response team remains ready to respond to any reports of oil sightings from the public.

>Work is continuing on demobilising the oiled wildlife facility at Te Maunga. It is expected the facility will be completely removed this week.

Any oiled birds picked up by the wildlife team will be stabilised in Tauranga before being transferred to Massey University in Palmerston North for treatment and rehabilitation. They will all be released back into the Bay of Plenty once they are healthy and their habitats ready.

Currently, the Massey University facility is caring for 2 grey faced petrels and 25 little blue penguins.

The oiled wildlife response team picked up one lightly oiled juvenile little blue penguin from Whale Island over the weekend.

Read the media release for Saturday 21 January:

Rena response (media update 177) – 10.30am

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Friday 20 January

Salvors have been able to manoeuvre the Smit Borneo alongside the bow of Rena, allowing 13 containers to be lifted off the bow section.

Weather remains fine with sea conditions conducive for continued container recovery from the bow section. The number of oiled birds – live and dead – being collected around the Bay of Plenty remained small.

This was largely due to the fact only small amounts of oil were reaching the shoreline but was also because the little blue penguins were in their moult period.

Braemar team cleanup efforts are focused on two main areas today – Waihi Beach and Bowentown Heads – and East Cape.

At Anzac Bay, Bowentown Heads, a container has been winched ashore in preparation for unloading its contents – packets of milk powder – before final removal. There are two more containers to be retrieved from the Bowentown Heads area. Some more latex gloves have also washed ashore there and are being collected.

Cleanup is continuing on Waihi Beach where more sheets of wood and other debris have come ashore at the northern end near the surf club.

Read media releases for Friday 20 January:

Rena response (media update 176) – 4.00pm

Rena response (media update 175) – 9.00am

 

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Thursday 19 January

Two empty Rena containers were pulled from the vessel by tug into the sea today then lifted by crane onto the recovery barge.

This different method was used because the Rena 's bow position on Astrolabe Reef means the Smit Borneo cannot get close enough to the port side for the crane to lift off some containers.

Divers are still assessing the two sections of the vessel. Despite calm seas, dive conditions remain difficult because of the dark, sea surges and jagged steel.

Tests are being carried out on the toxicity of water in the aft section, reflecting the fact that the safety of salvors is paramount.

While small amounts of oil continue to leak from the vessel, the amount still in pockets is now estimated to be in the tens of tonnes, at most. The initial major spill leaked about 360 tonnes of oil.

The Braemar Howells recovery team continued work on several fronts today, in particular in the Waihi Beach and Bowentown Heads area.

At Waihi, plywood and MDF sheets have washed ashore, mostly in the surf club area but also up and down the beach.

In the Bowentown Heads about 50 bags have been filled with latex gloves that washed ashore.

Divers plan to attach a line to a container at Anzac Bay in Bowentown so it can be winched ashore and unloaded before being cut up and removed.

Five badly damaged containers that had been retrieved while floating or beached were unloaded from a barge last night for disposal, bringing to 64 the number of containers handled by Braemar since the vessel broke apart.

Braemar is investigating three containers found on one of the sonar surveys of the seabed between the wreck and Motiti Island.

Debris is still being collected from White Island and Whale Island, using fast response craft and divers.

The boom inside Maketu Estuary has been removed, but the boom at the entrance to the estuary will remain in place.

 

Read media releases for Thursday 19 January:

Rena response (media update 174) – 4.00pm

Rena response (media update 173) – 8.15am

 

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Wednesday 18 January

Removal of containers from the bow section of the Rena resumed for the first time since it broke apart 10 days ago. It is the first time that sea conditions have allowed.

The barge Smit Borneo was alongside the port side of the bow and the first container was been removed.

Removal of containers from the bow of the vessel is now the priority. Prior to it breaking apart, 397 containers had been removed from the Rena.

Assessment of both sections of the Rena is continuing. The weather at the wreck was relatively calm, with winds of 15-20 knots expected over the next few days.

Some of the Rena containers being reported as “unaccounted for” are possibly still aboard the stricken ship. Many of the containers on the seabed are likely to be close to the wreck. Ascertaining numbers has not yet been possible as salvors are working in that area.

Sonar searches of the seabed are being carried out in other areas, with three containers located today north of Motiti Island. These containers are partly damaged and believed to be 40ft in length. Braemar is not aware of any containers currently floating.

While about 500 containers have not been accounted for, Braemar has identification numbers for more than 450 containers, about 400 of which are on the bow.

Meanwhile, other clean-up operations are ongoing throughout the Bay of Plenty. A total of 44 bags of debris were removed from Motiti Island yesterday.

The bags – each containing a few hundred kilos of debris – were heli-lifted to a barge in the Braemar operation. Debris included milk bags, plastic and fermenting meat.

Elsewhere, Braemar clean-up efforts today included a focus on the Bowentown shoreline and the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Six skips have been sent to Waihou Bay today for debris collection, while a barge and a fast response boat are engaged in debris collection at Whale and White Islands and mainland coastlines in the area.

Seven little blue penguins and two grey-faced petrels oiled in the past fortnight were released today after being treated at Massey University. The birds released today were freed at Mount Maunganui or at sea, depending where they were found. Four oiled penguins were taken to Massey earlier in the week.

Several hundred dead birds have been found in recent weeks, particularly since the Rena broke in two last week. Some were slightly oiled, but none were heavily oiled. Most of the dead birds were juvenile and unoiled, indicating that they died from natural causes, which is common early in the breeding season.

Post-mortems will be conducted at Massey on some of the non-oiled birds over the next few days to find out if they died from ingesting debris.

A total of 2,118 dead birds were found in the six weeks after the Rena grounded in October and spilt an estimated 350 tonnes of oil. Two thirds of these dead birds (about 1,400) were oiled. Of these, nearly 1,000 had oil over more than 50 percent of their bodies.

Oil clean-ups continured today at Matakana Island, Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island. A SCAT team monitoring the southern side of Motiti Island in recent days found no sign of oil. A meeting was held today between MNZ and locals to agree methods of operating on the northern foreshore of the island.

Read media releases for Wednesday 18 January:

Rena response (media update 172) – 4.00pm

Rena response (media update 171) – 8.15am

 

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Week 15: 11– 17 January

Tuesday 17 January

Bags of debris were heli-lifted to a barge off Mōtītī Island today as the Rena clean-up continues.

Braemar Howells has a specialist on hand to oversee the attachment of the bags of debris collected by local landowners. The barge and a support vessel went out at first light this morning.

Since Rena broke up, Braemar Howells has had vessels on hand to reduce the amount of debris reaching the island. Debris being removed includes plastic and bags of powdered milk.

The action at Mōtītī today follows site assessments over the past week, with a helicopter used today because parts of the island are inaccessible or difficult to reach.

Meanwhile, a further container has washed up on the rocks at Bowentown – the second to do so in two days. This brings the number of identified containers on beaches or in the water up to 19. Retrieval of the latest container is likely to be carried out by boat.

Down the coast, Braemar Howells has a barge engaged in debris collection at Whale and White islands and mainland coastlines in that area.

Sonar sweeps have identified a total of 27 possible containers on the seabed – the majority close to the Rena wreck. This figure stood at seven submerged containers yesterday.

Preparations are being made for a helicopter to remove a container load of milk powder that has been manually emptied onto the deck of the wreck. The bags of milk powder will be moved to a barge and taken for disposal.

Divers continue to assess the status of both sections of the vessel. Conditions for this remain challenging, given the swells and currents surging through the wreck.

National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said 30 people have been cleaning up oil at Matakana Island today, with a further 15 at both Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island, where most of the oil located is from the initial major spills from the Rena.

A beach groomer is being used to remove polymer beads from the beach at Matakana. One container containing beads washed up there several days ago, with some of the contents escaping into the surf. Three other containers of beads are believed to be still on board the Rena.

Polymer beads are clear plastic beads roughly 2–3 millimetres in diameter and slightly smaller than a matchhead. They’re used in the manufacture of plastic materials like pipes and tubing.

The beads are not toxic but could be ingested by birds or fish. The beads are likely to pass through the digestive system without causing harm.

Four oiled little blue penguins will be taken to Massey tonight and seven, together with two grey-faced petrels, will be returned to Tauranga for release tomorrow, some from land and some at sea. Wildlife field teams have today been checking Opotiki and Coromandel for oiled wildlife, along with ongoing monitoring at Motiti Island.

Read media releases for Tuesday 17 January:

Rena response (media update 170) – 3.30pm

Rena response (media update 169) – 8.15am

 

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Monday 16 January

Divers today continued a full assessment of the state of the wreck of Rena – its stability on the reef and general condition – as the first stage of working out what to do next.

“It’s extremely challenging and dangerous work,” National On Scene Commander Rob Service said, “because of the surges of water through the broken structure and the vast amount of torn steel and other debris.”

For safety reasons, the divers will not be entering the vessel’s holds until it is deemed safe to do so.

A sonar inspection was undertaken yesterday, with the results awaited. The Braemar Howells container recovery team said three containers submerged off Matakana Island will be inspected this week to try to identify them and check their condition.

Debris collection around White Island and at Mōtītī Island will be a focus of the clean-up this week.

Two boats are already positioned in the White Island region ready to begin debris retrieval. A container base has been retrieved from White Island. A barge will be sent to Mōtītī Island to remove debris, which includes wood and milk powder bags.

Beach clean-ups will continue in Bowentown and Matakana Island at low tide. Further down the coast in the Whakatane area, local contracted labour workforce are being activated to tackle debris removal. This will cover the area from Whakatane to Torere, including Opotiki and Ohope beach.

Another container washed ashore today on rocks in the Bowentown area. Retrieval is likely to be by boat.

Braemar Howells said 52 containers have so far been recovered from the beaches and the water and 18 others have been located, either on beaches or in the water

Sonar has identified seven possible targets between the Rena wreck and Mōtītī Island.

Mr Service said oil clean-up at Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island resumed today after yesterday’s rest day, with 15 people working at each site.

“In both cases the oil being collected is predominantly old oil that has been exposed as a result of sand erosion, rather than fresh oil from Rena breaking in two last week,” he said. Concentrated clean-up will continue at Mount Maunganui for the next three days.”

Repairs have been carried out to a leaking oil protective boom at Maketu, with no oil entering the estuary.

A SCAT team has been at Mōtītī Island today surveying the coastline for oil.

The clean-up at Matakana Island continues – large quantities of timber, wool, twine and other debris, much of it oil-coated. Some pallets of timber are almost completely buried in sand after the recent storms.

Wildlife field teams have been at Matakana and Mōtītī Islands today, and north of Waihi.

Currently, there are 34 little blue penguins in care, along with three grey-faced petrels and one dotterel.

Mr Service said New Zealand Defence Force personnel were no longer involved in clean-up or other aspects of Rena recovery.

“The last left this morning but they will remain on call to return. They’ve done a sterling job – at sea, in the air and on the beaches in the past few months. We’re extremely grateful for the assets they have provided and their commitment to the task at hand.”

Read media releases for Monday 16 January:

Rena response (media update 168) – 3.30pm

Rena response (media update 167) – 8.15am

 

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Sunday 15 January

Improving weather conditions have enabled steady progress to continue at the wreck of Rena, says Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).

National On-Scene Commander Rob Service says the divers have been able to carry out preliminary sub-surface inspections around Rena.

“This will enable the divers to prepare for a full underwater survey of the sunken rear section once the sea swells ease over the next couple of days,” said Mr Service.

“Once a detailed underwater survey is complete, the salvage contractors can plan their next steps to recover underwater containers.”

“The crane barge Smit Borneo has also now connected to the sunken aft section of the Rena on its port (left-hand) side” he added.

Mr Service said shoreline assessment teams were out on Matakana Island today and teams also checked on the protective oil booms at Maketū, Little Waihi and Waitahanui which will remain in place for now.

“Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams (SCAT) will be deployed to Mōtītī Island tomorrow, with the assistance of an environmental advisor” said Mr Service. Wildlife field teams today recovered two dead oiled little blue penguins from Pāpāmoa .

Today a lightly-oiled little blue penguin was transferred from Mōtītī Island to the Te Maunga wildlife recovery facility.

Braemar Howells container recovery team had five vessels along the Bay of Plenty coastline today.

Rough seas hampered efforts for the Braemar Howells team to recover debris in the White Island area using the crane barge Subritzski and a fast response craft.

Another vessel has been working to recover a container north of Waihi beach.

People are reminded to contact the Braemar Howells Hotline if they discover a container or debris on 0800 333 772 or email rena@braemarhowells.com noting the container ID number and its location.

For any oil-related matters, members of the public can contact the oil spill number 0800 645 774.

Read media releases for Sunday 15 January:

Rena response (media update 166) – 4.00pm

Rena response (media update 165) – 8.30am

 

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Saturday 14 January

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).

Once seas reach a calmer state, the barge will connect to a series of anchors and rest along the port (left-hand-side) front section of Rena before endeavouring to recover further containers.

“The dynamic sea state and the relative proximity of the reef below make it difficult to indicate any timing for this next stage of container salvage,” said National On-Scene Commander Rob Service.

“Divers are also on standby for the right conditions to survey the sunken rear section,” said Mr Service.

Salvors are mindful of significant surges around the ripped-apart steel structure, with the addition of sea foam and other visibility challenges.

Salvage contractors can not advise the state of the underwater section or plan their next steps to recover underwater containers until a detailed dive survey operation has been carried out.

The sea swell is expected to reduce to 1.5m on Sunday night and further reduce to 1m on Monday.

Today an oiled little blue penguin bird was recovered offshore from Hahei in the Coromandel area and is being transferred to the Te Maunga wildlife recovery facility.

The National Oiled Wildlife Response Team are currently considering an extension to their operations to cater for any further confirmations of oiled wildlife along the northern coastline.

There are currently seven little blue penguins at the Te Maunga oiled wildlife facility, with 28 under care at Massey University.

Braemar Howells container recovery teams were continuing with their operations today at Waihi Beach, as well as working with local iwi to tackle the debris and timber along Matakana Island.

People are reminded to contact the Braemar Howells hotline if they discover a container or its contents on 0800 333 772 or email rena@braemarhowells.com noting the container ID number and its location.

A community briefing was held at Matata at 10am at the Matata Rugby Club, 12 Division Street.

Read media releases for Saturday 14 January:

Rena response (media update 164) – 3.30pm

Rena response (media update 163) – 8.00am

 

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Friday 13 January

Salvage

• Aerial observation flights and a visit to Rena today by Svitzer salvors confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
• Rough sea conditions around Astrolabe Reef, with maximum wave heights of between 4–5m, are expected to subside over the weekend, with wave heights of less than 1m forecast for Sunday.
• Svitzer is planning to take the crane barge Smit Borneo out to the reef this afternoon if weather conditions permit. They will then position the barge over the weekend.
• The Svitzer salvage dive team is on standby to go down and assess the condition of the submerged stern, when conditions allow. The current sea state, combined with the dangerous state of the wreck, is preventing dive operations at this stage. The dive inspection will confirm the state of the stern, and identify any underwater obstructions, which will guide the next steps in the salvage operation.

Container recovery

• Braemar Howells container recovery teams are continuing operations at sea as long as weather conditions permit.
• On shore, Braemar Howells teams have sent assessment teams to Matata following reports of debris coming ashore along the coast there.
• Shoreline container and debris recovery teams have also been working on Waihi Beach, at Mount Maunganui and Motītī Island today.
• People sighting containers or debris are urged to please report it to 0800 333 771.

Oil spill response

• Observation flights today have confirmed the rough seas around Rena have broken up the sheen around the wreck and there is currently no visible oil at the wreck site.
• Shoreline clean-up assessment teams have been on beaches east of Maketū but have found no evidence of fresh oil.
• Trajectory modelling shows any oil in the water is likely to reach beaches east of Maketu. However, observation flights today have not located any visible patches of oil making their way in this direction.
• Oil spill response teams remain ready to respond to any fresh oil coming ashore.
• There have been unconfirmed reports of some fresh oil reaching Mōtītī Island today – shoreline clean-up assessment teams are going to Mōtītī tomorrow to follow up these reports.
• Protective booms remain in place at Maketu, Little Waihi, and Waihatanui.
• Oil spill response teams have been working at Mount Maunganui, Leisure Island and Matakana Island today.
• Shoreline clean-up assessment teams have identified fresh oil at Pāpāmoa East. The team has recorded small spots of oil measuring between .1 and 2cm and stretching over 2km of coastline.
• Shoreline clean-up assessment teams will be back at Pāpāmoa East tomorrow assessing how best to clean the oil.
• There are currently 10 oiled little blue penguins and four grey faced petrels which have lost their waterproof coating in care at the Te Maunga facility. Of these, six penguins and two petrels have been stabilised sufficiently to be transported to Massey University in Palmerston North for cleaning and rehabilitation tonight. They will be returned to the Bay of Plenty when they are healthy and their habitats are ready to receive them.
• The wildlife facility will be expanded to provide for cleaning and rehabilitation if the numbers of birds being collected increase.
• A total of 58 dead oiled birds have been collected since the beginning of the week.
• Members of the public wanting to assist with the clean-up should visit www.boprc.govt.nz/oilspillvolunteers.
• Beach-goers concerned about the safety of swimming should refer to the local surf lifesaving club for guidance. The surf lifesavers regularly undertake detailed assessments of their stretches of beach and are best placed to offer advice on safe areas for swimming. When in doubt, swim between the flags.

Community briefings

Two community briefings were held tomorrow:

• MAKETU: 2pm at Maketū Fire Station, Wilson Road
• PUKEHINA: 4pm at Pukehina Beach Community Centre, 16 Pukehina Parade

Read media releases for Friday 13 January:

Rena response (media update 162) – 5.00pm

Rena response (media update 161) – 10.30am

Rena response (media update 160) – 7.00am

 

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Thursday 12 January

Salvage

• Aerial observation flights and a visit by boat to Rena today by salvage experts confirm no change to the state of the wreck.
• There are currently 2.5–3m wave heights around Rena – this is due to increase tomorrow with winds of up to 35 knots and maximum wave heights of between 4–5m. The weather is due to subside over the weekend.
• Salvors today attached extra lashings to the containers on the front section of Rena to make them more secure ahead of the forecast rough weather.
• The Svitzer salvage dive team is on standby to go down and assess the condition of the submerged stern, when conditions allow. The current sea state, combined with the dangerous state of the wreck, is preventing dive operations at this stage. The dive inspection will confirm the state of the stern, and identify any underwater obstructions, which will guide the next steps in the salvage operation.

Container recovery

• More than 150 responders have been assisting in the Braemar Howells-led container and debris recovery operations.
• 12 vessels, including specialist tugs, barges and rapid response vessels have been on water corralling and collecting containers and debris.
• 11 containers have been removed from Waihi Beach
• Container recovery teams have also removed skip-loads of wood and other debris from around the Mount.
• Preparation work has also begun to remove 11 containers from Matakana Island. Braemar Howells teams are working with the local population to achieve this – some containers will be removed by road transportation and others pulled back out to sea and onto a recovery barge.
• In total, 115 containers, including 100 refrigerated units, have been processed at the Truman Lane facility.

Oil spill response

• Aerial observation flight this afternoon confirmed a dark metallic sheen of around 600m by 200m within a larger lighter sheen stretching for about 10km from the wreck.
• Another patch that resembled oil was noted south of Mōtītī Island – however, oil spill observers thought this was potentially sub-surface algal bloom. The patch will be monitored by ongoing observation flights.
• Observers noted these patches of oil appeared to be breaking down naturally in the swell.
• Current trajectory modelling predicts oil is likely to reach beaches at Little Waihi and Pukehina overnight. However, trajectory modelling is based only on the prevailing conditions and can change – modelling is being regularly updated and we will let you know if this trajectory changes.
• Protective booms have been put in place at Maketu, Little Waihi, and Waihatanui.
• A shoreline clean-up assessment team has worked from Maketū to Thornton today and found no evidence of fresh oil coming ashore.
• Oil spill response teams have been working at Mount Maunganui, Leisure Island and Matakana Island today.
• Oil spill response teams have also been working with oil recovery vessels in the Tauranga Harbour today. This is in case of any oil reaching the harbour. Svitzer salvors have oil recovery equipment at the wreck site ready to deploy in the event of a significant release of oil.
• There are now 10 little blue penguins in care at the Te Maunga facility and 45 dead oiled birds have been collected since the beginning of the week.
• There are 22 little blue penguins, two fluttering shearwaters and one dotterel in care at Massey University, where they were taken when the Te Maunga facility was wound down. These birds will be released back into the Bay of Plenty when their habitats are ready for their return.
• Members of the public wanting to assist with the clean-up should visit www.bop.govt.nz/oilspillvolunteers.
• Beach-goers concerned about the safety of swimming should refer to the local surf lifesaving club for guidance. The surf lifesavers regularly undertake detailed assessments of their stretches of beach and are best placed to offer advice on safe areas for swimming. When in doubt, swim between the flags.

Read media releases for Thursday 12 January:

Rena response (media update 159) – 5.00pm

Rena response (media update 158) – 10.30am

 

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Wednesday 11 January

Aerial observation flights and a visit by boat to Rena today by salvage experts confirm no change to the state of the wreck.

Salvage

• There are currently 2.5–3m swells around Rena – this is expected to ease over the next few days.
• The Svitzer salvage dive team is on standby to go down and assess the condition of the submerged stern, when conditions allow. The current sea state, combined with the dangerous state of the wreck, is preventing dive operations at this stage. The dive inspection will confirm the state of the stern and will guide the next steps in the salvage operation.

Container recovery

• More than 150 responders have been assisting in the Braemar Howells-led container and debris recovery operations today.
• 12 vessels, including specialist tugs, barges and rapid response vessels have been on water today corralling and collecting containers and debris. These operations have focused on areas north west of the Astrolabe Reef and north of Mōtītī Island, as well as near Waihi Beach.
• Six containers have been removed from Waihi Beach with another 10 between Bowentown and just north of Waihi Beach still to be removed.
• 11 containers will be removed from Matakana Island as soon as possible.
• Braemar Howells reports very little debris came ashore overnight – due in large part to the on-water recovery efforts targeting the debris fields yesterday.

Oil spill response

• Aerial observation flight this afternoon confirmed around 12 patches of sheen, each measuring approximately 100m by 50m. Dark patches of oil were visible within these patches.
• Observers noted these patches of oil appeared to be breaking down naturally in the swell.
• Current trajectory modelling predicts oil is likely to reach beaches at Little Waihi and Pukehina from tomorrow evening. However, trajectory modelling is based only on the prevailing conditions and can change – modelling is being regularly updated and we will let you know if this trajectory changes.
• Protective booms have been put in place at Maketū and Little Waihi.
• A shoreline clean-up assessment team has worked from Te Tumu to Maketū today and found no evidence of fresh oil coming ashore.
• Oil spill response teams have been working at Mount Maunganui, Leisure Island and Matakana Island, cleaning residual oil that came ashore during the recent stormy weather. This oil is not the result of the recent release from Rena.
• Oiled wildlife response teams scouring beaches for affected wildlife today found one oiled penguin. The penguin was taken to the oiled wildlife facility at Te Maunga. Currently, there are six little blue penguins in care at the Te Maunga facility. There are 22 little blue penguins, two fluttering shearwaters and one dotterel in care at Massey University in Palmerston North, where they were taken when the Te Maunga facility was wound down. These birds will be released back into the Bay of Plenty when their habitats are ready for their return.
• Members of the public wanting to assist with the clean-up should visit www.bop.govt.nz/oilspillvolunteers. Around 95 volunteers assisted with the clean-up on Waihi Beach today, which was hugely appreciated.
• Beach-goers concerned about the safety of swimming should refer to the local surf lifesaving club for guidance. The surf lifesavers regularly undertake detailed assessments of their stretches of beach and are best placed to offer advice on safe areas for swimming. When in doubt, swim between the flags.

Read media releases for Wednesday 11 January:

Rena response (media update 157) – 5.00pm

Rena response (media update 156) – 10.30am

 

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Week 14: 3–10 January

Tuesday 10 January

Salvage – Dave Billington, Maritime New Zealand Salvage Unit

• The condition of the stern section of Rena began to change significantly from about 8.30am today.
• The anchor tug Go Canopus began an attempt to reposition the stern section on the reef to make it easier for the container recovery barge Smit Borneo to move closer to Rena once container operations resumed. This proved impossible due to the weight of the ship and the water entering the vessel.
• A helicopter with salvors landed on the bow section of Rena at 9.20am to monitor the condition of the stern, which progressively sank between 9.30am and 10am.
• The stern section has been stable since 10am, with about 75 percent underwater – including the bridge.
• A small amount of oil and debris, and two containers were discharged from the stern section as it submerged.
• Weather and sea conditions at the reef have not allowed salvors to board the stern. When possible, divers will inspect the hull and there will be an assessment of whether the Smit Borneo can be repositioned over the wreck.

Oil spill response – Alex van Wijngaarden, MNZ National On Scene Commander

• Trajectory modelling of the oil released today shows that it is likely to reach Mōtītī Island about 6pm today, and the beach between Maketū and Matata late tomorrow.
• The National Response Team has been mobilised and plans are in place to put out booms to prevent as much oil as possible from reaching sensitive areas along the coast.
• The volunteer Adopt-A-Beach programme has been reactivated
• The salvors have equipment at the reef to try and contain any oil escaping from the wreck.

Containers and debris – Claudene Sharp, Braemar Howells Operations Manager

• Two containers were discharged from the stern section as it sank. One sank and the other floated. It has since been taken in tow by a tug.
• There are 11 other pieces of containers adrift
• Braemar Howells has deployed 13 vessels, ranging from tugs and barges to a fast response vessel, from the Waihi Beach area south to Motiti.
• Braemar Howells has identified 49 containers either floating or beached since Rena split at the weekend. Of those, around 25 are beached.
• The containers which have beached are known to contain timber, paper, plastics and milk powder. None contain hazardous goods.
• The furthest north that containers have been located is Whiritoa, north of Waihi Beach.
• Braemar Howells has activated 11 hubs along the coast, to coordinate the collection of debris.
• Today, over 140 people were involved with removing debris along the coast and on Matakana.
• 13 containers are confirmed ashore at Waihi Beach, of which 4 have already been removed, 1 was destroyed in rough seas and 8 remain.
• Wherever possible, containers and debris will be recovered on the water.

Paul van’t Hof, Svitzer Salvage Master

• Until the swells subside, it is not possible to assess the condition of the submerged stern section or carry out underwater surveys and plan further salvage operations
• The Smit Borneo is still available if it proves possible to resume container operations
• Sensors on the bow section of Rena show that it is still stable

Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Transport

• The Government is satisfied that the response is being conducted very professionally.
• Cooperation between MNZ, local councils, Svitzer Salvage, Braemar Howells and iwi is resulting in smooth operations.
• Waihi Beach residents have expressed their satisfaction with the speed of the debris removal.

Hon Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment

• The amount of oil released in the last 24 hours is very small – in single digits.
• Containers and debris are being collected and removed efficiently.
• Catherine Taylor, the former Director of MNZ, has been engaged by the Ministry for the Environment to lead the long-term environmental recovery programme, starting tomorrow.

Read media releases for Tuesday 10 January:

Rena response (media update 155) – 7.00pm

Rena response (media update 154) – 6.00pm

Rena response (media update 153) – 1.00pm

Rena response (media update 152) – 10.40am

 

Monday 9 January

Both sections of Rena remain on the Astrolabe Reef but sea conditions have prevented salvors from boarding either part of the vessel today.

Oil Spill Response

• Oil spill responders have cleaned up oil on the Mount, the Main Beach and at Leisure Island today.
• Two vessels are being readied for on-water oil collection in the harbour if this is required.
• Oil spill response will be mounted at Waihi Beach if oil comes ashore.
• Teams from the Oiled Wildlife Response Unit have patrolled Matakana Island, the Main Beach from the Mount to Pāpāmoa , and on Mōtītī Island today. No birds have been found on Matakana or Mōtītī Islands. Two oiled birds were collected on the Main Beach.
• Night patrols will continue tonight, checking for oiled wildlife.

Containers

• Operations to collect debris from containers have continued at Waihi Beach all day.
• Twelve containers are known to have come ashore, at Waihi Beach, Bowentown Heads and on Matakana Island, and these will be removed as soon as conditions permit.
• Oily debris washed ashore on the Main Beach at Tay St today, and has been removed.

NZ Defence Force

• Personnel from the NZ Defence Force are using the Navy’s mine countermeasure equipment to check the harbour channels for submerged containers on each incoming tide.

Iwi

• Iwi held a hui today with Transport Minister Hon Gerry Brownlee and Civil Defence Minister Hon Chris Tremaine.

Public meeting

• Maritime New Zealand will hold a meeting for Waihi residents tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Waihi Beach Community Centre on Waihi Beach Road, at 4pm.
• There will be two meetings for Tauranga and Western Bay residents on Thursday.

 

Read media releases for Monday 9 January:

Rena response (media update 151) – 6.30pm

Rena response (media update 150) – 11.00am

Rena response (media update 149) – 7.00am

 

Sunday 8 January

Communities along the Bay of Plenty coastline are being advised that container debris and oil from the wreck of the CV Rena is likely to begin coming ashore overnight and tomorrow, with a coordinated response ready to deal with whatever washes up.

Both sections of the Rena were still on the Astrolabe Reef, the stern section had moved an estimated 30m from the bow section in seas of over 7m overnight, after the stern pivoted about 13 degrees to starboard.

MNZ Salvage Advisor Jon Walker said that there was a strong likelihood that the stern section would capsize and sink, which would make recovering any further containers from that section considerably more difficult.

Container recovery company Braemar Howells estimate that between 200 and 300 containers of the approximately 830 remaining on the Rena were lost overboard when the two sections of the ship separated, of which 30 had been identified, with 17 tagged with buoys.

The National Response Team had been mobilised to deal with any fresh oil released from the ship, and members of the National Oiled Wildlife Response team would be checking Mount Maunganui and Leisure Island for oiled birds overnight.

Wind and sea conditions were constantly being modelled to plot the trajectory of oil and debris. There is no way of knowing exactly how much oil was released from the duct keel when Rena’s bow and stern separated, but some could still be trapped in the stern section.

Meanwhile, navigational warnings have been issued to shipping, with the port company communicating with individual ships via port radio and warnings issued to recreational vessels via Coastguard radio. Shipping lanes were also being monitored for containers and debris and the 3 nautical mile exclusion zone around the Rena remains in place, along with a 1,500 feet no-fly zone.

The current bad weather is forecast to slowly ease over next 3 – 4 days, though seas are expected to remain rough with 4–4.5m swells.

Read media releases for Sunday 8 January:

Rena response (media update 148) – 7.00pm

Rena response (media update 147) – 9.30am

Rena response (media update 146) – 9.30am

 

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Friday 6 January

A total of 17 containers were removed from the no. 5 and 6 holds on Rena yesterday.

Salvage

• Salvors plan to continue with container removal operations today while the weather remains favourable. This brings the total estimated number of containers still on board to 881.
• 389 containers in total have been removed from Rena, with 98 in total believed to have been lost overboard.
• Salvors are preparing the ship for severe bad weather this weekend, with a low pressure system now expected to arrive on Saturday evening, carrying through to Sunday, with the worst weather now expected on Monday (9 Jan). This is forecast to result in a maximum wave height of 6-7m, which is among the worst weather to be forecast so far.
• In expectation of the bad weather front, salvors will tomorrow (Saturday) bring the crane barge Smit Borneo back into port. Salvors will use the time to complete routine maintenance on the barge and carry out other work. The support vessel Go Canopus will remain on site to monitor the condition of Rena.
• Containers on the bow of the vessel continue to remain lashed down and those that are safely accessible have been fitted with transponders in anticipation of the severe weather front coming through.
• Work is continuing on erecting a temporary gangway between the forward and aft sections of ship, with a more permanent structure to be built.
• High gas levels detected in the no.5 hold late yesterday caused work to be stopped for safety reasons. Breathing apparatus and other equipment is on the vessel to help manage the hazard, and levels are continuing to be monitored today.
• No diving work took place yesterday due to the conditions, but divers hope to be able to inspect the recent damage to the vessel today. This will however be dependent on the conditions and will only occur when it is safe for them to enter the water.
• The ship remains in a fragile but stable condition, with electronic sensors on board showing no significant change.
• Although effectively in two parts, the forward and aft sections of the vessel remain firmly grounded on the reef.
• A 3nm exclusion zone remains in place around the vessel, as does a 1,500 foot vertical air exclusion zone. Boaties are advised that the zone may need to be extended if the forecast bad weather results in more containers or debris being lost from Rena, as this will pose a hazard to shipping. If this occurs, navigational warnings will also be issued via maritime radio.

Containers

• Braemar Howells are preparing vessels and other equipment in readiness to respond to potential container and debris loss from the Rena with the forecast bad weather. This includes preparing tow wires, ropes and trawl nets to collect debris and containers that may come off the vessel.
• Work on collecting container debris from Mōtītī Island is continuing today, comprising mainly timber, milk powder and plastic. Teams are also collecting debris from other beaches.
• Two teams yesterday found debris at Pāpāmoa Beach (mainly milk powder) and this is being collected. The public are again urged to please not touch the debris, as it makes recovery more difficult and may pose a hazard. Instead, anyone finding container debris is asked to please report it via the oil spill number: 0800 645 774.
• Timber debris reported by fishermen in the water near Mōtītī Island yesterday and scattered over a wide area has been collected. Only small debris remains.
• No sonar work was carried out yesterday due to technical problems, however sonar work has resumed today.

Oil spill response

• Responders remain on standby and are ready to ramp up in anticipation of possible further releases of oil from Rena following the forecast bad weather this weekend.
• A metallic sheen of oil was observed on both sides of the ship during this morning’s over flight, measuring about 50m wide and extending for about 4.2nm towards the north of the vessel.
• Work is continuing at Leisure Island today and preparations to resume work at Matakana Island next week are continuing.
• Any sightings of oil can be reported to 0800 645 774, as lines will continue to be monitored over the weekend. Similarly, any reports of oiled wildlife should be reported to 0800 333 771.

 

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Thursday 5 January

Salvors working on Rena are preparing for severe bad weather expected to arrive on Saturday afternoon.

Salvage

• Salvors are preparing for severe bad weather this weekend, with a low pressure system expected to arrive on Saturday afternoon, with the worst weather expected on Sunday. This is forecast to result in a maximum sea state of 6–7m, which is among the worst weather to be forecast so far.
• The weather for today and through until tomorrow is for cloudy periods and showers to continue, with swells of about 1m at Astrolabe Reef today.
• Salvors will continue to make the most of the good weather expected for today and tomorrow to remove containers. Fourteen containers were removed from the no.7 hold of the vessel yesterday and loaded onto the ST60, bringing the total number on board the barge to 15. This leaves an estimated 898 containers still on board Rena.
• Salvors will today focus on removing containers from the no.6 hold, as this presents the easiest access for container removal.
• Salvors will be working on pumping gas from the no.5 hold so to make the space safe for accessing containers once no.6 has been completed.
• Work is continuing on erecting a temporary gangway between the forward and aft sections of ship, with a more permanent structure to be built.
• Pumping of oil remnants from the no.5 starboard fuel tank was carried out for 35 minutes yesterday.
• The ship remains in a fragile but stable condition, with electronic sensors on board showing no significant change.
• Weather conditions yesterday meant divers were not able to inspect the underside of the vessel.
• Divers hope to be able to inspect the recent damage to the vessel today, but this will be dependent on the conditions and will only occur when it is safe for them to enter the water.
• Containers on the bow of the vessel continue to remain lashed down and those that are safely accessible have been fitted with transponders in anticipation of the severe weather front coming through at the weekend.
• The BOPRC harbourmaster is also continuing to deal with a number of vessels and small craft breaching inside the exclusion zone, and reminds all water users that the 3nm zone remains in place around the Rena for operational safety reasons.

Containers

• A Braemar Howells team will this morning continue picking up container debris between Pāpāmoa Beach and Maketū – comprising mainly plastic and milk powder, and some meat products.
• The company reports that a number of milk powder packets appear to have been opened after arriving on shore, and is urging members of the public to please not open or touch container materials, as this makes them more difficult to recover and is a potential health hazard. Anyone finding containers or container debris is asked to please report it.
• Searches by sonar vessels yesterday revealed 6 potential container-shaped targets, and attempts will be made to lower a drop camera to positively identify these further. Sonar searches will continue today.
• Reports yesterday from fishermen of wood in the water to the south west of Mōtītī Island are being followed up and any material will be recovered.
• A team will be checking the beach between Kaituna Cut and Maketū today for further container debris.
• 357 containers have now been landed, with none brought ashore yesterday.

Oil spill response

• Responders remain on standby and are ready to ramp up in anticipation of possible further releases of oil from Rena following the forecast bad weather this weekend.
• Shoreline assessment teams will today be inspecting beaches at Omanu and Pāpāmoa to assess whether they can be signed off as clean.
• A team will be out at Matakana Island today assessing the area for operations next week.
• This morning’s over flight detected a 10x20m patch of oil with a metallic sheen at the port side of Rena, and a silvery sheen of oil about 10–30m wide and 3km long stretching from the vessel towards the north.
• A 10-person team is working on Leisure Island today to remove oil from rocky areas brought ashore by the recent weather.
• Contractors will be returning from the break and resuming work at various locations from Monday next week.

Wildlife

• Planned night operations at Rabbit Island were cancelled last night due to poor weather.
• 4 more birds have been successfully transferred to Massey University for care, bringing the total number of birds at Massey to 25.
• 6 of the birds at Massey are being prepared for release, most likely next week.
• The Mōtītī field team will continue monitoring the condition of wildlife there for the rest of this week.
• The wildlife facility at Te Maunga continues to be demobilised as less wildlife is being collected.

 

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Wednesday 4 January

Salvors continue to assess the damage to 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 Pāpāmoa to Maketū areas
• Crews have collected milk packets and containers from Mōtītī
• Further debris clean ups will occur today at Mōtītī and from Pāpāmoa to Maketū

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 Pāpāmoa area today collecting any oil from the beach

Wildlife

• 3 oiled little blue penguins were collected yesterday - one each from Mōtītī, the Mount and Pāpāmoa
• the Mōtītī 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

 

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Week 13: 28 December – 3 January

Monday 2 January

Weather and sea conditions mean that no containers were removed from Rena yesterday and none will be removed today.

Salvage

• No vessels are currently alongside Rena
• The overflight this morning shows no visible changes to Rena overnight
• As confirmed yesterday, Rena is now effectively in two pieces but she is still firmly grounded on the reef and may be still joined underneath
• Divers will examine the undersides once weather and sea conditions improve probably today
• Light oil sheens have still been seen coming from the bow and stern of the ship
• An unknown quantity of oil remains on the ship
• Salvors will continue to monitor the state of Rena

Container recovery

• 9 further containers have been misplaced – they could be crushed within no.3 hold or lost overboard
• 2 containers are known to have washed overboard and one has been found
• Two teams will be cleaning beach areas today and one team is heading to Mōtītī

Oil spill response

• Storm conditions have washed up debris on to the beaches but no significant fresh oil has been reported
• Some weathered oil has washed up near the Kaituna cut but other beaches look relatively clear
• Shoreline assessment teams and clean up teams remain on call
• Contractors will resume the clean up from Wednesday this week
• Storm debris will be removed from high use beaches so the beach groomers can clean any weathered oil from the sand
• Community groups continue with their Adopt-a-Beach schemes to clean local areas

Wildlife

• Many birds have been found on the coast and harbour shorelines but most of this is weather related and is normal for this time of the year with many young birds around
• 5 oiled little blue penguins have been collected over the past two days – the four live birds will be treated and sent to the Wildlife Recovery Centre later this week
• 2 diving petrels were found lightly oiled and will be treated and fed at a facility in Tauranga
• 17 penguins, 1 dotterel and 2 grey faced petrels are in care at the Massey facility in Palmerston North
• A team will travel to Mōtītī today to monitor wildlife there for the rest of the week
• Two teams worked last night around Mauao and Leisure Island checking on penguins and found one oiled bird

Weather

• Currently SW 10 to 20 knots, 1 to 2 metre northerly swell and good visibility
• The weather has eased from the north and turned through to the south
• Residual swell from the north remains

 

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Sunday 1 January

Large swells and wind overnight, on top of the heavy swells of the past few days, have caused further damage to Rena.

• The break in Rena has opened further but she may still be connected underwater. The extent of the damage will need to be verified by divers but the vessel remains firmly grounded on the reef
• The crack in Rena which is constantly monitored has opened up resulting in the aft section moving more freely than the forward part
• This is not unexpected, especially with the sea state – the risk of further damage and loss of containers will continue to be likely in heavy weather
• At least two containers have washed overboard
• Braemar's recovery team has been out since first light this morning with four vessels searching for containers lost overboard
• Shipping lanes were scanned with sonar and found to be clear
• A helicopter flight has confirmed more timber and packets of milk powder washed ashore on Mōtītī Island
• Shoreline surveys have found more debris washed ashore
• Salvors and Maritime New Zealand have been out to the ship this morning to assess the damage and will provide an update for the media at the Operations Centre in Tauranga at 2pm this afternoon.

 

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Week 12: 21 December – 27 December

Monday 26 December

A total of 341 containers have now been removed from Rena. Container removal operations have been suspended for the past couple of days due to 1.5m swells.

• Smit Borneo is in the process of repositioning to place the bow of the barge into the swell. Svitzer is anticipating this will allow the salvage team to resume removing containers from Rena later today. Container removal operations will continue as long as weather conditions allow.
• The weather forecast is for settled weather until 29 December when the wind is expected to increase to around 25 knots. The winds are forecast to ease around 31 December.
• Braemar Howells teams are continuing to process containers landed ashore at a good rate, and follow up reports of debris washing ashore.
• The oil spill response team has been undertaking daily patrols of oiled areas around Mount Maunganui and other priority areas. Two areas on the eastern side of the Mount remain closed off to the public as they are natural collection points for residual oil washing ashore. Teams are monitoring these sites and are on standby to respond to reports from the public of oil sightings.
• The last clean-up operation was held on Christmas Eve – clean-up operations are scheduled to resume on 28 December, unless any significant reports of oil come through in the interim. All reports from the public of oil sightings are being followed up and factored into the planning process. Members of the public are encouraged to call 0800 OIL SPILL if they see oil on the beaches or in the water.
• Wildlife teams are on standby to respond to reports of oiled wildlife – members of the public are encouraged to call 0800 333 771 if they see any animals affected by oil, whether alive or dead.

 

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Friday 23 December

A total of 42 containers were removed from Rena by the Svitzer salvage team yesterday – a record number since container removal began on 16 November. This brings the total number of containers removed from Rena to 294.

• There were 1,368 containers on board Rena when it ran aground on 5 October – 89 have washed overboard. There are now 985 left on board.
• Container removal operations will continue today with salvors intending to make the most of the good weather.
• Salvors are also working to mitigate the oil seeping from the number 3 cargo hold.
• The weather is forecast to remain fine the next few days with winds of around 10 knots.
• Braemar Howells confirms 31 containers were landed ashore yesterday – 15 were empty and 16 were refrigerated containers which have been taken for processing at Truman’s Lane.
• Braemar Howells container recovery teams are continuing to work on Mōtītī Island. A report of debris near Whale Island yesterday was followed up with an aerial observation flight, but nothing was found. White Island will be checked today.
• The oil spill response aerial observation team confirmed the oil sheen extending approximately 5km from Rena this morning.
• Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams will be at Pāpāmoa today.
• Most clean-up teams are standing down today for the holiday break, although the beach groomer will be working at Maketū Spit. The Kulim Park wall will be back in place today and this is the last day for warm water washing at the Mount. Most of the work today will be tidying up for the holiday break.
• Oil spill response teams will continue to survey shoreline areas over the holiday period, and clean-up teams will be on stand-by and ready to respond to any reports of fresh oiling.
• Wildlife night operations teams checked Mōtītī last night but found no oiled birds. A large team will be at the Mount again tonight.
• The oiled wildlife facility at Te Maunga is closing down, although several structures will remain at the site so it can be remobilised if needed. The last 15 penguins and one dotterel in care at the facility will be taken to Massey University this afternoon for ongoing care. These birds are remaining in care because either their habitats are not clean enough to receive them or their health requires ongoing attention. They will be released back into the wild in the Bay of Plenty when their habitats and their health allows.
• Ongoing monitoring of wildlife will continue. In particular, the public is urged to notify 0800 333 771 of any dead penguins they encounter in the Tauranga area.
• There is still oil in the environment and on the ship. Contingency plans are in place so the response can be ramped up quickly should the need arise. Operations will escalate again after New Year.

 

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Thursday 22 December

Salvage and container recovery operations on Rena will continue throughout the Christmas and New Year break, while oil spill response teams will remain ready to respond should more oil come ashore during the holidays, says Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).

MNZ National On Scene Commander, Rob Service, said while oil spill response activity would be scaled back during the Christmas/New Year period to give teams a well-deserved break, they remained on call and ready to respond should more oil from Rena hit local beaches.

Mr Service said the incident command centre would also continue to run over the Christmas break, but the staffing would be reduced to a core team.

This team would continue to monitor the movement of the oil sheen around Rena and continue planning for potential future releases of oil.

Response personnel in Tauranga would remain ready to respond to public reports of oil on the beaches, and the wider response team would be on-call and ready to return to Tauranga in the event of another large spill from Rena.

Salvors and staff from container retrieval company Braemar Howells would also continue to work through the holidays on removing and processing containers taken from the Rena.

“While it is really pleasing to see containers coming off Rena and the situation remaining relatively stable, we must remain vigilant,” Mr Service said.

“We know there is still oil on the wreck that the salvage team can’t reach. We are ready to launch another large scale-response if and when that oil is released.”

Mr Service also thanked everyone who had assisted with the Rena oil spill response as the year wound to a close.

Mr Service was one of the first oil spill responders to reach Tauranga, on 5 October, hours after Rena ran aground and was responsible for declaring the event a Tier 3, or national level, oil spill response. Since that day, hundreds of people from throughout the country and the rest of the world have dedicated their time and energy to responding to New Zealand’s worst maritime environmental emergency.

“Everyone who has been here – whether they’ve been organising the response from within the incident command centre, out on the beach cleaning up oil, working on board the Rena, or at the wildlife facility caring for birds, has put in 150 percent and, for that, we at MNZ are hugely grateful,” Mr Service said.

“It’s been a very intense 11 weeks and people have put in some incredibly long hours and shown an outstanding commitment to restoring and protecting the Bay of Plenty environment.

“We wish everyone who has worked alongside us – whether they are central or local government personnel, volunteers or our colleagues from overseas – a very happy Christmas and a restful break.”

 

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Wednesday 21 December

A total of 9 containers were removed from the Rena yesterday. This brings the total number of containers removed from Rena by Svitzer to 252

• This morning, the crane barge Smit Borneo will be repositioned on the starboard side of Rena. This repositioning will take most of the morning but container removal from the starboard side is expected to recommence this afternoon.
• Weather conditions are forecast to remain fine over Christmas with light winds from the northeast, turning east later and the swell dropping.
• Braemar Howells advises that 256 containers, which include those removed from Rena by the Svitzer salvage team, and those recovered from the water, have now been landed ashore for processing.
• A container recovery team went to Mōtītī Island yesterday and removed 4-5 skips of debris from the beach. Container debris was spotted five nautical miles north of Whangamata yesterday and retrieved.
• The oil spill response aerial observation team noted an oil sheen seen yesterday west of Mōtītī was not visible this morning. A narrow band of metallic rainbow sheen is visible for a couple of kilometres north west of Rena.
• Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams will be working towards Pāpāmoa today. Rock washing continues on Mauāo, along with hand cleaning at Matakana. At Mōtītī, the focus will be on the western side to prepare areas for the next bird release. Oiled debris was found at Kaituna yesterday by the river mouth.
• A wildlife team surveyed Mōtītī’s south western end overnight but found no oiled penguins. Thirteen clean birds were seen.
• The wildlife teams will be helping with rock washing today.

 

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Week 11: 14 December – 20 December

Tuesday 20 December

A total of 24 containers were removed from Rena yesterday. This brings the total number of containers removed from Rena by Svitzer to 243.

• 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 3km 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 Mōtītī Island about half a kilometre from the coast. A SCAT team is checking Maketū spit and Pāpāmoa beach today.
• All operations, including warm water rock washing and rock scraping at Mauāo, 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 Ōmanu and Pāpāmoa East today, targeting the areas in front of the surf clubs and the main Mount beach. Teams are also on Mōtītī 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.

 

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Monday 19 December

A total of 17 containers were removed from Rena over the weekend - nine on Saturday and eight yesterday. In addition to four removed on Friday, this brings the total number of containers removed from Rena by Svitzer to 227.

• One container, with meat products inside it, fell off Rena yesterday – this has been recovered. This brings the total number of containers washed overboard from Rena to 89.
• 219 containers have been brought ashore and are being processed by the container recovery specialists Braemar Howells Ltd.
• The Braemar Howells container recovery team is working on East Cape and will also be surveying Whale Island. No sonar work was possible yesterday as the equipment was attacked by sharks. A helicopter will fly to Mōtītī Island tomorrow to check the beaches for container debris.
• Dive inspections have been conducted on a regular basis and buckling damage adjacent to the no. 6 hold on the starboard side continues to develop. This is consistent with previous inspections following periods of bad weather. This will continue to be monitored.
• Wind is blowing south easterly at 15–-20 knots turning northerly this afternoon. Showers are clearing later today.
• A narrow trail of rainbow sheen is visible off the bow of Rena to the northwest for 1km.
• A Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Team will be checking Ōmanu and Pilot Bay today.
• Two clean-up teams are working at the Mount, one team undertaking warm water washing and the other scraping rocks. A team is also working at Kulim Park.
• Three wildlife teams are working at the southern end of Mōtītī Island looking for oiled wildlife.
• 23 little blue penguins from the western side of MōtītīIsland were released yesterday. The penguins, from Sandy Bay, north of Panaturi Point, were released by boat – photos are available at http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/Rena/gallery.asp
• The release leaves 43 little blue penguins and 1 dotterel remaining in care at the Te Maunga oiled wildlife facility.
• Work is continuing to dismantle the majority of the facility – a few structures will be left standing until the last of the wreck is removed from the reef, allowing the facility to scale back up if needed.
• Night operations to check on released birds are continuing and staff have reported very few oiled birds being found. However, four oiled penguins were picked up over the weekend, two from Mōtītī Island and two Mt Maunganui.

 

Friday 16 December

Salvage

• Two containers were lost over the side in last night's stormy weather. One damaged container, carrying aluminium chairs, has sunk. Another floating container, carrying 18 packets of timber and fitted with a transponder, is being monitored. Once located, it will be towed and placed on board the barge ST 60. The search for the sunken container, which is inside the exclusion zone, will continue.
• Sensors on board the Rena have detected some additional minor movement, but there is no overall change to the status of the vessel. However, it still remains in fragile state.
• A damaged cable on the crane barge Smit Borneo has been replaced, but operations continue to be hampered by bad weather.
• Soft mooring ropes connecting the Smit Borneo to the Rena parted overnight due to the rough weather, with barge experiencing rolling of 5-6 degrees. The weather peaked about 10pm yesterday with a combined sea state of 6m.
• This morning’s overflight of the Rena noted two distinct narrow tracks of rainbow sheen about 30-50m wide stretching 1-2km from the ship.
• The swell is dying away today and winds from the northeast are turning north westerly this morning. The patchy weather is set to continue over the next couple of days, with north easterly winds of up to 40 knots (74km/h) expected to peak late Saturday. Fine weather is forecast for Sunday.

Oil spill response

• Shoreline Clean Up Assessment Teams are checking locations around the harbour and the south end of Matakana today. Wet sand from heavy rain is limiting oil cleanup on beaches, but rock washing will continue at Mauāo. All areas will be checked, with several reports of fresh tar balls on the beaches, and work is continuing at Matakana.

Wildlife

• Night operations at Mauāo yesterday did not reveal any oiled birds, as the rough weather means they are likely to have stayed out at sea last night. A team will check Mōtītī Island today and the key penguin areas will be checked today and overnight looking for any birds which have been oiled or distressed.

 

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Thursday 15 December

Salvage

Container removal operations have been hampered this week by bad weather, and a technical issue with the crane on the barge Smit Borneo. A total of 206 containers have now been removed from Rena. There were 1,368 containers on board Rena when it ran aground and 86 containers are believed to have washed overboard on 11 October. This leaves 1,076 containers remaining on board the wreck.

Svitzer engineers are working on a modification to address the problem with the crane.

The condition of Rena’s hull is continuing to deteriorate, with divers identifying changes to the buckling on the starboard side this week.

While the motion detectors attached to the hull of the wreck do not suggest any significant movement, Rena remains in a fragile state.

While container removal operations have been suspended, salvors have worked this week on attaching patches to the internal corridors of the wreck to improve buoyancy. 

Container recovery

The Braemar Howells container recovery team has been working in the wider Bay of Plenty area this week.

The team has recovered debris from Te Kaha and Mōtītī Island, where teams are continuing to work.

Oil spill response

The sheen around Rena has remained around the wreck, at times stretching out to around 5km.

The sheen stretching away from Rena has primarily been rainbow sheen, suggesting a very light distribution of oil – however, observation flights have identified darker patches around the wreck.

Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams have continued to check the beaches from Pāpāmoa to Mt Maunganui, including Leisure Island and Mauāo, where little blue penguins have been released.

Clean-up operations have targeted high priority areas where wildlife releases have been planned or undertaken. Targeted areas have included Mauāo and Matakana.

Warm water washing at Mauāo has continued with good results, while beach clean-up teams have followed up on reports from the public of tar balls coming ashore.

Wildlife 

There have been a number of wildlife releases this week, with 46 penguins released at Mount Maunganui this morning, in front of a large community turnout.

This leaves 61 little blue penguins and 2 dotterels remaining in care at the oiled wildlife facility.

Wildlife teams conducting ongoing monitoring of birds already released into the wild confirmed some of the dotterels pre-emptively caught early in the response operation and subsequently released at Pukehina are already breeding.

Oiled wildlife teams continue to conduct night operations to check on penguins released around Mauāo to ensure they are not being re-oiled.

Weather outlook

There is a strong wind advisory in place for the Bay of Plenty. North east winds are expected to gust around 35 knots, easing this evening.

Winds of around 15-20 knots are forecast for the next couple of days with the weather expected to improve after Saturday.

 

Wednesday 14 December

No containers were removed from Rena yesterday as salvors worked on a modification to the crane. This work will continue today.

• Salvors are also working on the installation of large steel patches in Rena’s internal corridors, to improve buoyancy. So far, three of the patches, weighing around 700kg each, have been installed and another three close to completion of installation.
• Dive teams will be continuing inspection work around the hull today. Dive teams yesterday identified slight changes in the buckling in the starboard side. However, the motion sensors attached to the hull detect no significant change in movement. The wreck remains in a fragile state.
• The weather at the Astrolabe Reef this morning was fair, with light winds and a sea swell of about 2m. The winds are forecast to increase during the day to around 20 knots, and continue increasing until they peak on Thursday around 30 knots with a 4m swell. The weather is forecast to settle after Saturday.
• The Braemar Howells container recovery team at Te Kaha, East Cape yesterday found part of an oiled refrigerated container which has been brought back to Tauranga. No container recovery operations were done at Mōtītī Island yesterday due to fog, but that area will be checked today.
• Oil spill response observation teams this morning confirmed a rainbow sheen stretching up to 5km from the vessel, about 30m wide. There are some darker patches around the vessel.
• Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams will be covering from Pāpāmoa back to Mt Maunganui today looking for any fresh oil. Leisure Island and āo will also be covered.
• Clean-up operations are continuing around Mauāo and Matakana. High priority areas have been cleaned and work is moving to secondary areas. Manual work will be done at Mauāo, along with warm water washing of the rocks and searches for tar balls on the beach.
• Oiled wildlife teams conducted night operations to check on penguins released around Mauāo to ensure they are not being re-oiled. The teams found no oiled penguins last night.
• A carpet was laid over oiled areas to protect penguins coming in last night – this will be done the next couple of nights as well.
• A wildlife team will go to Mōtītī Island tomorrow to assess the penguin habitats there. There will be a penguin release tomorrow at 8am at Mount Maunganui main beach.

 

Week 10: 7 December – 13 December

Tuesday 13 December

Salvors identified an issue with the crane operation on Smit Borneo yesterday. To address the issue the crane requires a modification

It is unlikely any containers will be removed today while this modification is underway.

Skimming of oil from the starboard number 5 fuel tank continued yesterday, as did internal work fitting patches to improve buoyancy of the wreck. This work will continue again today.

There are currently north east winds of around 10-15 knots out at the Astrolabe Reef, and the sea state has reduced from yesterday. However, the wind is forecast to rise to around 10-20 knots and continue increasing until Thursday, when a front is forecast to come through.

Braemar Howells has received reports of container debris at Te Kaha and has dispatched teams to follow these reports up today. Teams will be working on Mōtītī Island removing debris and oiled waste.

Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams will be working around Pāpāmoa and Maketū Spit. Warm water rock washing continues at Mauāo and Matakana today. Clean-up teams will also be working around the Mount looking for oil on Leisure Island and the beaches along Mt Maunganui.

Iwi volunteers will be working around Pilot Bay, with the aim of signing off operations in that area.

Releases of birds from the oiled wildlife facility continue. 107 penguins and 2 dotterels remain in care at the centre.

Please note these releases are part of an ongoing programme of wildlife releases. Some will not be promoted as public/media opportunities. While we appreciate the public interest in these release events, these must be balanced by operational requirements to ensure the birds are released without being stressed.

There will be further opportunities for the public to see penguins released – we will advise when dates and locations are confirmed.

 

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Monday 12 December

Weather continues to affect salvage operations, with no activity yesterday (Sunday) due to swell and wind conditions.

Weather today is marginal for safe operations, so container removal activity today is unlikely.

While container removal operations are suspended, salvors will focus on installing patches in the corridors of the wreck, to improve buoyancy.

15 containers were removed from Rena by the crane barge Smit Borneo on Friday, with 13 removed on Saturday. A total of 195 containers have now been removed from the wreck.

A beach cleaning team is working today at Shark Alley/Leisure Island where some small amounts of oil have been seen, and the team will be working on the beach after every high tide.

Beach clean-up teams are working at Mōtītī on the north and western sides of the island. Clean-up teams are also working at Kulim and Fergusson Parks and Matakana Island.

Warm water rock washing is continuing at Mauāo.

No beach grooming will be done today because of the weather.

The weather forecast is for continuing showers and patchy rain, with heavier rain forecast for Wednesday.

Today's overflight of Rena shows a visible metallic of sheen of oil about 4.5 km long from the vessel, but there is no sign of weathered oil off Ōmanu.

A SCAT (Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Team) will be working on Maketū Spit today.

A total of 967 tonnes of solid waste has been collected so far, with 3.86 tonnes collected on Friday and Saturday.

Two containers are being processed today and surveying will be done on Pāpāmoa to see if anything has come ashore in the past week.

 

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Friday 9 December

Salvors on board the crane barge Smit Borneo hope to this afternoon begin removing containers from the Rena, weather and other conditions permitting.

The 110 metre crane barge departed Port of Tauranga early yesterday morning, and salvors spent the day securing the vessel on the port side of the Rena. This involved the placement of mooring lines and four massive anchors, at the end of about 800m of anchor chain, to secure the barge next to the Rena.

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Salvage Unit Manager Arthur Jobard said the barge was currently moored about 300m off Rena. It would use winches to extend and retract its four anchor chains to move the vessel to access containers from different parts of the ship as needed.

Mr Jobard said salvors planned to begin testing the barge’s cranes and other systems today, starting with the removal of lighter, empty containers, before beginning work on the heavier containers.

“The focus today will be on testing and refining the process for removing containers, starting with those that are empty before moving onto more difficult containers. As always, these operations are highly complex and are heavily dependent on the weather and technical factors. However, all going well, it is hoped that we will be able to start removing containers later today.

“That said, this is still a very hazardous working environment and safety remains the number one priority. That means that salvage operations will only be undertaken when it is safe to do so and when the weather conditions allow.”

Mr Jobard said Smit Borneo provided greater reach and capacity than the barge Sea Tow 60, which would be now be used as a shuttle barge to transfer offloaded containers back to the port. Salvors would also stay on board the Smit Borneo, which eliminates the need to travel to and from shore.

Salvors had also been working to install patches in corridors under the deck of Rena, to help seal off damaged areas and increase the vessel’s buoyancy.

“The purpose of these patches is to create a series of watertight air pockets under the main deck, which will enhance the vessel’s ability to stay afloat.”

Mr Jobard said three large steel patches, fabricated in Tauranga by salvors and each weighing about 700kg, had been welded in position under the deck on the port side of Rena.

To date, 167 containers have been removed from Rena, with 86 lost overboard and 1,115 still on board.

Weather today is for north-easterly winds of 10 knots and a swell of 1.0–1.5m, forecast to continue over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, Keri Morgan of the National Oiled Wildlife Response Team, said nine more little blue penguins had been released today, following the 30 released yesterday at Mount Maunganui with the help of pupils from local schools and the blessing of iwi. Five more endangered New Zealand dotterels were also released at Matakana Island yesterday.

“A big thanks again to all of the pupils and teachers from Bellevue, Omanu, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Tahatai Coast primary schools, iwi representatives and others who took part in yesterday’s release and helped make the event a success.”

Ms Morgan said 190 penguins were still being housed at the centre, along with 12 dotterels.

“We are working closely with the response team to make sure that birds are only released into areas where the environment is safe for them to return, and the chances of them becoming re-oiled are low. However, this must be balanced against the risks of keeping the birds in captivity for too long, which can create other health problems for them.”

Ms Morgan said 66 previously released penguins on Rabbit Island had been checked by wildlife teams overnight, and were doing well, with no sign of re-oiling.

More animals would be released in stages over the coming weeks as their habitats continued to be cleaned up after they had passed pre-release assessments.

National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said following an overflight of Rena this morning, a 3km-long rainbow sheen of oil was coming from around the vessel.

“This is consistent with what has been happening since Rena grounded, with oil continuing to leach from the vessel as it moves with the tide and sea conditions. The oil spill response team is continuing to monitor the sheen and is ready to respond should more oil come ashore.”

Mr Courtnell said contractors were today continuing to work at Motītī Island, with a major effort today to finish off beach cleaning operations at Mauāo. Contractors were also working at Matakana Island.

A total 962 tonnes of solid waste and 34 tonnes of liquid waste had been recovered during the spill response operation so far, he said.

Mr Courtnell said the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster’s three nautical mile exclusion zone around Rena was still in place, with the zone remaining closed to unauthorised vessels or persons. 

“On behalf of the harbourmaster, boat operators are also reminded to take extra care around three anchoring sites used for corralling containers that may fall from Rena. These sites – east of Rabbit Island (Motuotau), off the western side of Motītī Island and off the coast of Pāpāmoa Beach – currently have navigational safety hazards including unlit buoys, ropes, chains and anchors which require people to keep well clear.”

Mr Courtnell also thanked businesses and volunteers who continued to support the response effort.

 

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Thursday 8 December

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) Salvage Unit Manager Arthur Jobard said salvors had made good progress this week, despite container removal operations being hampered by bad weather.

"Salvors have focused on work on board Rena, and have installed patches in the corridors of the wreck. This will enhance buoyancy.

"We have also this week seen the arrival of the crane barge Smit Borneo. This has a much greater reach and capacity than the Sea Tow 60, which will enable salvors to remove containers currently out of reach.

"However, it’s important to emphasise that the weather will continue to play a huge part in this operation. Smit Borneo will be affected by swells and wind in the same way the Sea Tow 60 was. Safety remains the number one priority and salvage operations will only be undertaken when it is safe to do so."

About 30 little blue penguins will be released this morning at Mount Maunganui as part of the continuing staged release programme.

MNZ National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said the oil spill response team was continuing to monitor the sheen around Rena.

"We have seen a little more oil leak from Rena with the variable winds and high swells. This has resulted in some sticky tar balls coming ashore, and we have had a number of reports from members of the public.

"We appreciate this is frustrating for people, particularly with summer almost upon us.

"Unfortunately, there is still a reasonably significant amount of oil on the wreck, out of reach of salvors. There is also still residual oil in the water, some of which is floating below the surface, and in the sand. This oil gets moved around with changes in the weather.

"Our teams will continue to clean and re-clean these beaches as long as we need to."

Mr Courtnell said responders were also starting to notice algal blooms, which are usually prevalent at this time of year. These could sometimes be mistaken for oil in the water.

Wednesday 7 December

Work is continuing on preparing the crane barge Smit Borneo for container removal operations. A 180 tonne “crawler” crane has been installed on the barge – this will be used for lifting salvors during container removal operations.

• It is currently anticipated that, weather permitting, the barge will go out to Rena tomorrow. It will then take at least a day to get the barge into position and set the anchors in place for container removal.
• Container removal operations will only commence when the weather and sea state allows.
• Salvors will be living in the accommodation block on Smit Borneo, meaning they will no longer need to be taken out to the Renaby helicopter, saving travel time.
• The Sea Tow 60 will be used as a shuttle barge to receive containers from Smit Borneo and take them to the Port for processing.
• Motion sensors on Rena confirm no significant change in the condition of the wreck, which remains in a fragile state.
• The weather is improving with north westerly winds of around 10 knots. There is still a maximum swell of around 3m, but that is expected to decrease over the next few days.
• Braemar Howells teams are working on Motītī Island today, removing container debris. Teams are also working on White and Whale Islands.
• Oil spill response teams are focusing on Pāpāmoa, Mount Maunganui and Motītī Island today. There will be a team working at Ōmanu, following reports of tar balls on the beach.
• Observation flights are continuing to monitor the sheen around Rena. This is currently stretching around 3km southwest of the wreck.
• Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Teams will be checking Maketū Spit and Little Waihi today.
• The National Oiled Wildlife Response Team released six dotterel at the southern end of Matakana Island this morning, and 24 little blue penguins at Mount Maunganui.
• These were part of an ongoing programme of wildlife releases. Some will not be promoted as opportunities for media or the public. While we appreciate the public interest in these release events, these must be balanced by operational requirements to ensure the birds are released without being stressed. There are plans to release more little blue penguins soon – we will make sure and let you know when we have confirmed a date and time.
• Wildlife teams are also continuing to undertake night operations to check on the progress of birds already released into the wild. There have been no reports of oiled birds to date. On Monday, the wildlife team picked up three birds reported by the public as potentially suffering from oil. They comprised two shearwaters, one dead, one injured, and one dead little blue penguin. The team has now confirmed none of them had been visibly affected by oil.
• Members of the public are encouraged to call the wildlife team if they see any oiled wildlife – please call 0800 333 771.

 

Week 9: 1 December – 6 December

Tuesday 6 December

The crane barge Smit Borneo arrived yesterday and is now berthed at the Port of Tauranga.

• A 180 tonne “crawler” crane currently on the barge Sea Tow 60 is being installed on Smit Borneo prior to moving it into position near Rena. This crane will be used for lifting salvors onto containers during removal operations.
• Smit Borneo is expected to remain at the port preparing for container removal operations for the next day or so.
• Poor visibility this morning has prevented salvage teams from going out to Rena. When the weather clears, they will be taken out to the wreck to resume work on installing patches in Rena’s corridors, to improve buoyancy.
• Svitzer’s salvage teams will today be moving into the accommodation block on Smit Borneo. Once it goes out to position at Rena, the majority of the salvors will stay out at the site.
• Electronic monitoring of the wreck confirms no significant change.
• Weather today is for variable north westerly winds of about 15 knots and low visibility, with a swell of 2-3 metres picking up overnight and dropping again tomorrow.
• Clean-up operations are continuing, with teams working at Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa and on Matakana Island. Teams are targeting areas that need cleaning in anticipation of eventual wildlife release.
• A Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Team is checking from Leisure Island to Ōmanu as there have been reports from the public of small amounts of oil.
• Wildlife teams are undertaking night operations to check on birds released after being cared for at the oiled wildlife facility.
• Braemar Howells Ltd confirmed today that one container thought to have washed overboard on 11 October has now been identified on board Rena. The container was quite badly damaged which had prevented its identification before now. This reduces the number of containers washed overboard to 86. With 167 containers removed from Rena by Svitzer, this leaves 1,115 still on board.
• Braemar Howells teams are checking Mōtītī Island for any recoverable items from washed up containers, weather permitting.
• Two vessels are undertaking sonar operations for Braemar Howells to locate containers on the sea bed.

 

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Monday 5 December

Rena is still intact after the weekend’s stormy weather. Electronic sensors monitoring the movement of the wreck indicated some extra movement during last night’s swells, but Svitzer advises there was nothing untoward in the readings.

• Salvage teams are going out to the wreck this morning to resume work on installing patches in the passages on Rena, to improve buoyancy.
• No container removal operations were undertaken over the weekend due to high swells. Container removal operations are not expected to resume for the next day or so.
• A total of 167 containers have been removed from Rena. There were 1368 containers on board when Rena ran aground, and an estimated 87 were washed overboard on 12 October, leaving 1114 on board today.
• The crane barge Smit Borneo is expected to arrive from Singapore around 11am today. The barge will remain in port for several days while the barge is prepared for container removal.
• The Sea Tow 60 is also in port.
• The anchor handling tug Go Canopus remains attached to Rena.
• Winds are blowing north easterly at about 15 knots, shifting to northwest today with low cloud and swells of a maximum 4m. Another weather spike is expected tomorrow night and wet weather is set to continue for the next few days.
• The rough weather resulted in the release of a small amount of weathered oil from under the wreck on Saturday night. This may result in some light oiling reaching beaches between Pāpāmoa and Mount Maungaui. Members of the public may see sticky tar balls reach the shoreline.
• Shoreline Clean Up Assessment Teams will be checking the beaches today, and clean-up crews will be working at Mount Maunganui, Pāpāmoa and Matakana Island.
• Container recovery specialists Braemar Howells advise that the rough weather could result in some debris from containers reaching shorelines – anyone seeing any debris should contact 0800 OIL SPILL.

 

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Sunday 4 December

Rough weather and strong swells around the Astrolabe Reef have resulted in a small release of weathered oil previously trapped under Rena, Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) says.

Rena suffered significant damage to its hull when it grounded on the reef, and oil has intermittently leaked from the duct keel, which is a system of pipes running along the bottom of the ship, since the grounding.
National On Scene Commander Mick Courtnell said salvors working on Rena yesterday saw blobs of oil floating from the wreck.

“We followed this up with two observation flights and our team estimates a small amount – perhaps half a tonne – of weathered oil has been released, probably from the duct keel.

“This oil has probably been trapped inside the wreck and exposed to sea water for some time.

Mr Courtnell said it was possible some of this weathered oil would reach beaches at Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui, and oil spill response teams would be on standby to clean it up over the next few days.

Affected areas of the beach may be cordoned off to allow oil spill response teams to work unimpeded if necessary. Mr Courtnell asked members of the public to please be patient while this work was underway.

The forecast was for the rough weather to continue today, peaking with 30-35 knot winds and up to 3m swells in the early hours of tomorrow (Monday) morning. The weather is forecast to settle quickly after that.

“With the continuing swells we may see more of this oil come out of Rena,” Mr Courtnell said.

“It’s obviously frustrating, particularly to our beach clean-up teams and volunteers who have put so much work into getting these beaches to the state where they can be used by the public.

“But we have always advised that more oil would continue to come ashore and we remain ready to respond to whatever Rena throws at us.”

MNZ Salvage Unit Manager Arthur Jobard said the strong swells out at the reef were continuing to prevent container removal operations.

The swells were also putting stress on the damaged wreck, which remained in a precarious state.

“The electronic sensors used by Svitzer to monitor the wreck are not indicating any significant change in its movement,” Mr Jobard said.

“But these kinds of swells can cause more damage, and this is something we are watching very closely.”

Both Svitzer, and Braemar Howells, the company contracted to recover containers washed overboard, have contingency plans in place ready to put into action if the condition of Rena deteriorates quickly.

 

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Friday 2 December

Media advisory – wildlife release programme

Media are invited to the release of New Zealand dotterel from the oiled wildlife facility.

Media and members of the public are welcome to attend – however, it is important to note that the welfare of the wildlife is the first priority.

Birds will be released from the Maketū Spit, approximately 100 metres from the public viewing point at the Maketū Reserve. Public are asked to stay off the spit during the release to ensure the welfare of the birds.

There will be a brief speech before an Iwi representative blesses the birds, then the birds will be released in small groups.

Please note this event is part of an ongoing programme of wildlife releases. Many will not be open to the public. While we appreciate the public interest in these release events, these must be balanced by operational requirements to ensure the birds are released without being stressed.

This may be the only opportunity for media and the public to view dotterels being released.

However, there will be further little blue penguin releases over the next week or so that public and media can attend – we will let you know once we have confirmation of dates and times.

New Zealand dotterel release

When: 2pm, Saturday 3 December
Where: Maketū Reserve, access point by boat ramp on left after the junction of Beach Road and Awhe Road, Maketū
What: About 15 New Zealand dotterel will be released back into the wild.

Read media releases for Friday 2 December:

Rena response (media update 123) – 3.30pm

Rena response (media update 122) – 10.30am

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Thursday 1 December

• Bad weather yesterday prevented any container recovery from the Rena.
• The total number of containers removed from the wreck so far is 166.
• Despite swells preventing any crane operation yesterday, salvors were still able to work on board Rena, focusing on the installation of rigging to prepare containers for removal, and the ongoing skimming of residual oil from the wreck.
• A dive operation was also undertaken yesterday, assessing the reef around Rena in anticipation of moving Sea Tow 60 once it has removed all the containers within reach of its current position. It is not yet known when this will be done.
• There is no change to the state of Rena.
• The weather forecast for today is for swells of up to 3 metres, and it is unlikely container recovery will be possible today.
• Container processing on shore by Braemar Howells is continuing well with 160 containers landed at the port. Of these, only four are yet to be processed at Truman Lane.
• Braemar Howells specialists are working on White Island and Mōtītī Island today to locate and recover container debris around the shoreline.
• Oil spill response clean-up teams are working at Leisure Island and Mount Maunganui using warm water washing to clean residual oil from the rocky shoreline.
• There are also clean-up teams working near Pāpāmoa using beach grooming machinery, and at Maketū.
• To date, a total of 962.6 tonnes of solid waste has been collected by oil spill response clean-up teams.
• Volunteers working with Operation Beach Clean are working at Mōtītī and Pāpāmoa today.
• People wanting to help with the ongoing beach clean-up are encouraged to join the "Adopt a Beach" programme, by emailing renavolunteers@gmail.com or calling 0800 884 881 ext RENA (7362).

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