Maritime NZ Public Update and Advisory - Rena Disaster - 18 October

by Maritime NZ on 18 Oct 2011
Maritime NZ, on Tuesday 18 October, issued a media release/public notice in regard to the Rena Disaster updating on the situation and containing public information relating to the environmental disaster.

Rena Update (#31)

Salvage efforts on board Rena are now entering a critical phase, as unfavourable weather conditions over the next 24 hours continue to affect operations and the movement of the ship.

MNZ Salvage Unit Manager Andrew Berry says the ship is in a dynamic situation and electronic sensor equipment on board continues to monitor its movement.

'The bow section is still sitting firmly on the reef, with the stern section showing some movement with the swell and tide. A closer inspection of the ship by MNZ advisors and naval architects this afternoon showed some movement and noise coming from the cracks on both sides of the vessel.

'We’re in a critical place during the next 24 hours due to the weather. We have one tug still connected to the stern of Rena ready to respond should the ship break up, with two other tugs on standby.'

Mr Berry says a range of response plans are in place to deal with a variety of potential scenarios should the ship’s condition rapidly deteriorate, with salvage experts ready to respond day or night.

Strong winds of up to 35 knots (65km/h) and swells of 2–4m have hampered salvage efforts since late last night. There are currently no salvors on board Rena as the salvors, Svitzer, wait for weather conditions to improve before attempting to re-board the ship to recommence pumping on to Awanuia.

'Salvors really need an improvement in the weather before they can resume pumping the oil off the vessel. They also need to ensure that it is safe for them to re-board Rena, and are continuing to monitor and assess the movement and changes in the ship’s position on the reef.'

Mr Berry says the salvage crew remains on standby and flights will be made at first light tomorrow to assess any changes that may have occurred overnight.

To date, 88 containers from Rena have been lost overboard, with approximately 30 still unaccounted for. The remaining 58 containers have either landed ashore or been secured to buoys. Some containers on board are in a precarious position and strong winds forecast for tonight may cause more to be lost.

Meanwhile, beach clean-up activities have been scaled back today due to the poor weather and the fact most beaches are largely clear of oil. A small amount of fresh oil has come ashore this evening near Harrison’s Cut along a 3km stretch of shoreline. Teams have been tasked to clean this oil tomorrow. Responders advise more oil is likely to land on the shoreline, depending on weather and the status of the ship over the coming days, and are prepared for this.

The Wildlife Response Centre has received 18 new intakes, bringing the total number in care to 253.

Special 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/

Rena Update (#30)

A small amount of oil was released from the bow of Rena this morning. A light sheen of oil has been observed moving out to sea with the prevailing wind while the number of containers lost overboard remains at 88.

Due to poor weather conditions, pumping was ceased at 11:30pm yesterday. A total of 90 tonnes of oil has so far been pumped off the vessel onto the Awanuia. This oil is then able to be cleaned and reused.

MNZ Salvage Unit Manager Andrew Berry said the salvage company had taken all salvors off the Rena due to the poor weather conditions and movement of the vessel, after first sealing the fuel tanks and closing the ship’s watertight doors as a precautionary measure. The fuel line going from the Rena to the Awanuia had also been recovered. The salvage team were now waiting for the conditions to improve before starting to pump again.

'The ship remains in a similar condition to what it was yesterday – with cracks down each side but is still held together through its internal structure. However, we are continuing to keep a close eye on the situation,' Mr Berry said.

On Scene Commander Ian Niblock said it was important to understand that salvors needed a patch of good weather to remove the oil from the ship.

'We have shoreline clean-up assessment teams which are very responsive to new sightings of oil and a fantastic team of volunteers on standby should more oil arrive on the coastline.'

A forward operating base established in Whakatane has carried out training with locals in the removal of oil from around White Island and eight bags of waste were yesterday removed from the island.

The Whakatane-based team is also continuing to look at options for placing protective booms around Ohiwa Harbour in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

Volunteer Coordinator Bruce Fraser said a last-minute decision was made this morning to call off volunteer beach clean-ups today due to the weather and the fact that the beaches were virtually clear of oil.

'The next phase of volunteer clean-up work will take place if and when more oil arrives on the shoreline,' Mr Fraser said.
Wildlife Field Operations Coordinator Dr Brent Stephenson said the team was continuing its success with pre-emptive capture of oiled birds including the rare New Zealand Dotterels.

'We have now caught 46 Dotterels but we’re hoping to capture 60 to ensure the sustainability of this population.
'It is extremely important that these precious birds are only handled by our team of trained wildlife experts,' Dr Stephenson said.

Collection locations in the wider Whakatane area have been set up to take wildlife in the event of oil landing in these areas. There are currently 235 birds in care and no mammals.

The number of dead and oiled birds collected has decreased for the moment but the wildlife centre has the capacity to receive several hundred more and treat them as necessary.

A new information channel for Bay of Plenty businesses has been established by the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce. Businesses affected by the Rena oil spill can call 0800 BAY BIZ (229 249) or visit www.bizactionBOP.org.nz

Rena Update (#29)

operations on board the Rena were suspended about 11.30pm yesterday due to bad weather, with rough seas and strong winds of 35 knots (65km/h). Weather in the area this morning remains poor and will impact on both salvage and oil recovery operations today. There are currently swells peaking at 4m around the vessel.

While pumping has been suspended, salvage experts are continuing with other work on board the vessel, such as cleaning out the engine room, getting more equipment on board and creating more work space.

About 90 tonnes of oil was able to be pumped off the vessel before pumping was temporarily halted and the tanker Awanuia was forced to detach and stand off. Nine salvage crew remain on board, but may be taken off if conditions worsen.

MNZ Salvage Unit Head Andrew Berry says plans are in place to begin using a booster pump bought in yesterday, which will hopefully help speed up the pumping process. However, whether or not pumping can recommence today will depend on weather conditions and other safety factors.

Good progress had been made yesterday getting oil off the ship he said.

Every drop of oil that we can get off the Rena is one less drop that potentially can end up in the environment, but given the huge range of variables that can affect operations, it’s going to be a long, slow process.

'The ship is stable and remains in the same condition as it was yesterday – with cracks down each side but is still together in one piece,' Mr Berry says.

Meanwhile, National On Scene Commander Ian Niblock says there have been no fresh reports of oil on beaches overnight, but that teams of trained responders and volunteers are ready to swing into action when more oil comes ashore.

The state of beaches and other oil-affected areas would be re-assessed this morning, with the possibility of re-opening some beaches if it was safe to do so.

The Wildlife Centre reports 207 live birds are now in care, as well as 3 seals, while 1,290 dead birds and four dead animals have been recovered.