Maritime NZ - Rena Disaster - 21 October- More oil off in fine weather

by Maritime on 21 Oct 2011
Maritime NZ, on Thursday 20 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 (#40)
Salvage operations on board the cargo vessel Rena are progressing slowly but steadily, with a total of 171 tonnes removed from the vessel by this afternoon.

The port number 5 tank from which fuel is being pumped originally held 772 tonnes.

MNZ Salvage Unit Manager Bruce Anderson said the key focus for the salvage team today had been to establish continuous pumping off the vessel, and they had achieved that.

'Their focus now is on getting that flow happening more quickly. They have a range of options they will be testing to speed up the process – they will be working through these over the next 24 to 48 hours.

'The oil is very difficult to work with and is flowing very slowly at present. However, the team will be doing everything they can to get it moving faster.'

Mr Anderson said the team would continue pumping overnight, if weather allowed.

'We have fine weather forecast until Wednesday so we are taking advantage of the good weather while we can.'
This afternoon, the National On Scene Commander Alex van Wijngaarden reopened the Mount Maunganui beach from the base track through to Tay Street (approximately 3km).

The beach was now open for public use, but not for swimming.

Captain van Wijnngaarden said the beach had only been opened after careful assessment of the beach. Further public health information is available at http://www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz/rena_public.
He reminded the public to be careful and to call 0800 OIL SPILL if they came across any oiled areas.
'People should still stay out of the water, and avoid collecting shellfish or fishing in areas which have been contaminated by oil.'

Mount Maunganui Surf Lifesavers would not be on the beach tomorrow.

Captain van Wijngaarden said the maritime exclusion zone around Rena had now been reduced to less than half its previous size. Details of the reduced exclusion zone are available on www.maritimenz.govt.nz.

Five volunteer events will be taking place along the coastline tomorrow, and these will be managed through local iwi, the Defence Force and the volunteer coordination group.

Beach clean-up crews have recovered a total of 827 tonnes of solid waste.

Rena Update (#39)

The salvage team is continuing to pump oil from the cargo vessel Rena today, making slow but steady progress, Salvage Unit Manager Andrew Berry says.

'The volume of oil collected is taking some time to measure, due to the large size of the tank on the Awanuia, which is receiving the oil from Rena.

'The wind is blowing up to 30 knots at times, which is causing difficulties for the operation. However, the team is remaining on the ship for the time being.'

National On Scene Commander Alex van Wijngaarden said shoreline clean-up work was going well, with volunteer teams today working at Harrison’s Cut at Papamoa, Mount Maunganui, Maketu and Waihau Bay.

Decontamination training was successfully carried out in Waihau Bay this morning, Captain van Wijngaarden said.

'We have sent equipment to the eastern Bay of Plenty, with more than 500 units of personal protective equipment and decontamination equipment sent to Waihau Bay.

'We also have trained teams assessing the shoreline to ensure we take a methodical and safe approach to the clean up. What we’ve seen so far out in Waihau Bay is a lot of debris from the containers, rather than oil – it’s a natural collection point and we will just have to keep cleaning and re-cleaning those areas.'

Captain van Wijngaarden said a number of goods and services had been donated to the Rena response.

'We’re extremely appreciative of the individuals and businesses that have shown their support to the response effort.

'We are continuing to get amazing support from the local community, in the form of volunteers, donations, and general feedback. We really appreciate this – it is hugely encouraging to the team to see everyone get behind the response.'

The main Mount Maunganui Beach will remain open for public access over the long weekend.

Capt van Wijngaarden said he appreciated people wanted other beaches open for the long weekend, but the risk of contaminating clean areas with oil was too high.

Shoreline clean-up assessment teams have confirmed that earlier reports of oiling at Whakatane Spit and Ohope Beach are incorrect.

The Department of Conservation has confirmed a pygmy sperm whale that beached at Ohope Beach this morning has been refloated. The whale was assessed by DOC specialists, who advise the stranding was unrelated to the oil spill from Rena.

There will be five volunteer events taking place along the coastline tomorrow, and these will be coordinated through local iwi, the Defence Force and the volunteer coordination group.

Awanuia is anchored astern of Rena, ready to take oil pumped from the stricken ship. - Rena - 21 October 2011