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Rena update (update 32)

Wednesday 19 October 2011, 2:20PM

By Maritime New Zealand

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Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence, talks to Defence Force personnel involved with the recovery and cleanup from the stricken ship Rena. They are pictured in the Incident Control Centre in Tauranga.
Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence, talks to Defence Force personnel involved with the recovery and cleanup from the stricken ship Rena. They are pictured in the Incident Control Centre in Tauranga. Credit: Maritime New Zealand
Defence Force personnel involved with the Rena recovery and cleanup pictured in the Incident Control Centre in Tauranga.
Defence Force personnel involved with the Rena recovery and cleanup pictured in the Incident Control Centre in Tauranga. Credit: Maritime New Zealand

TAURANGA

19 October 2011: 7.30am

 

There has been no report of any further movement from Rena overnight. However, salvage company experts will be flying out to the vessel about 7.30am to assess the situation.

Weather this morning is poor, with seas ranging from rough to very rough (2-4m swells) and strong winds. This will impact upon salvage operations.

Sensors on board the vessel have detected no significant movement overnight, and salvors are working on a variety of plans to cover all eventualities, including if they are unable to get on board the vessel. This includes preparing additional work platforms and pumping equipment. Divers are also working on plans for accessing the starboard fuel tank of the vessel.

National On Scene Commander Ian Niblock says there have been no new reports overnight of oil on beaches, but teams will today clean up oil that came ashore late yesterday along a 3km stretch of beach near Harrison's Cut.

It's likely that there will be no other volunteer clean up today, given that beaches yesterday were largely clear of oil. However, volunteers are on standby and are ready to swing into action should they be needed.

There is no further update on wildlife numbers since last night. The Wildlife Response Centre received 18 new intakes yesterday, bringing the total number of animals being cared for to 253. Around 1,290 dead birds and 4 dead animals have been identified.

Ed’s note: It is critical to safe operations that the aerial and marine exclusion zone around Rena is observed and respected. Entering the exclusion zone can seriously impact on the recovery operation and put those working on salvaging the ship at risk. It is also an offence to enter the exclusion zone and anyone found breaching this zone could be fined up to $20,000. For details, visit http://www.boprc.govt.nz/news-centre/media-releases/october-2011/rena-exclusion-zone-extended/

The 10am ICC media briefing will go ahead as scheduled today.