New Zealand Navy Helps in Oil Cleanup

[derek s.langsdon]

From today'a ALJAZEER and Australian/ NZ papers-full stories online but the headlines today Saturday 10/8 are:

Four New Zealand Navy vessels the Rotoiti,Taupo,Manawanui (in the area today) and HMNZS Endeavour to arrive Monday will assist in efforts to contain and disperse approx 100 tonnes of oil that has thusfar spilled from the tanks of the 47,000 tonne container ship "Rena" since last Wednesday.

The Rena hit and became wedged on the Astrolabe Reef, 12 nautical miles off the North Island in the Bay of Plenty when it started leaking oil.

A fuel tanker ,tugs and other help is on the way today Saturday with salvage equipment from NZ and Australia. 500 defence personnel are on standby in case of shoreline pollution but the oil has been dispersed to a thin film in the past two daya.

There is concern for the remainder of the 1,700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil on board and the 35,000 tonnes of container cargo, a couple of which hold ferrosilicon which is highly inflammable in water.

None of the 25 man crew were injured in the incident but the 21 year old "Rena" is said to be badly damaged.

derek-L

[derek s.langsdon]

..add my last on oil slick aid by NZ Navy units:

All media now carrying updates today and guess our mates
down under will likewise as develops.

derek-L

[jainso31]

My thanks to you Derek for keeping us up to date with news of this potential catastrophe.It is obviously hoped that the ship and/or the oil leak can be repaired or contained in some way.:(:(:(

jainso31

[Old Salt]

Very little has been done yet, the oil slick has grown and heavy black, which is reaching the shoreline already. Today the weather is bad, the Navy lifted off all people onboard. The ship is seen to be swinging direction in the heavy swells. No doubt she is bumping up and down on the reef also. With one third of the ship fast on the reef. the after end is in 30 metres of water.
Fully loaded with containers, which are now sliding about, my concern is that she will simply break into halves.

Big news here, as you can imagine, but most written by media types quoting those who have power but know nought about salvage.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Brian

[jainso31]

A pretty grim outlook then Brian-if she breaks in half- there be one helluva mess to clean up.:(:(
With one third of the ship stuck fast on the reef-can a ship capable of pumping her out get anywhere near.???

[Old Salt]

A pretty grim outlook then Brian-if she breaks in half- there be one helluva mess to clean up.:(:(
With one third of the ship stuck fast on the reef-can a ship capable of pumping her out get anywhere near.???

Weather easing today, back to 19 deg list, and cracks showing down the hull amidships. Containers stacks now falling over and 70 already floating around.

Oil leaks continue and raching local beaches, Master was in court today and Second Officer will be charged tomorow.

I suspect that she will break in two shortly

Brian

[jainso31]

Oh! Brian- what an absolute disaster-just like a ticking bomb and no tangible signs of what can be done.Is there not a Global Disaster Organisation that can help or advise??:(:(:(:(:mad:

jainso31

[brian james]

It now appears the vessel is on the verge of breaking up as I speak...... with a huge crack having appeared in the hull and several Shipping Containers loaded with toxic chemicals now overboard and heading for this pristine environment!!!New Zealand has always taken great care and pride in its beautiful untouched wilderness and local areas in general........To have this act of utter disregard for basic Seamanship and flouting of Marine Shipping Inspection Laws is reprehensible to say the least....Apparently it is not the first time this vessel has been in 'trouble'....The Weather Forecast for the area is not looking too favourable either........Brian........

[jainso31]

OMG-that is the worst possible news Brian-It is of no real consolation I know- but I sincerely hope that those responsible for this catastrophe are imprisoned; and have their licences to operate ships revoked.:mad::mad::mad:

jainso31

[brian james]

Yeah Jim.... it is not looking good...The usual 'Liberian Registration' lurk will not help either when litigation commences....Years back we had 'trouble' with a Greek owned vessel..who are notorious for flouting a myriad of Maritime Regulations ..but that is another story..and does nothing for the dreadful 'plight' that NZ finds itself in.......regards Brian ...PS.. brings back awful memories of Torrey Canyon!!!.........

[jainso31]

Thank you for the update Brian-do please keep us posted with news from your end .
I certainly hope the besmirched Liberian flag lark pulls no ice with the litigators.
It's a b------ shame- that in this day and age the world is still having to contend with absolute incompetents operating large vessels.:mad::mad::eek:

jainso31

[brian james]

The latest 'gen' Jim on the Rena.... is she is still holding together and the weather is abating slightly ..I cant believe the angle the containers are at and still aboard...making it extremely hazardous for those salvage crews who have to work on her.. Here is a pic from our local 'rag'...Regards Brian..

[brian james]

Sorry about the 'picture quality' Jim....The best I could come up with at short notice...Regards Brian............

[jainso31]

Not a bad picture at all Brian-the deck load not only looks; but is a nightmare!!:eek::eek:
Can the containers be offloaded and if possible towed ashore-it would certainly ease the burden on the ship??
Are there any plans afoot to salvage this ship??

jainso31

[brian james]

The latest on Rena is.... Today transference pumping of FFO had to be curtailed because of safety concerns for salvage crews as weather conditions worsened after only transfering 21 tons.......another 1100 tons to go!!(cross fingers) ....

[jainso31]

Brian -that is a bit of great news-if she can be largely pumped out- will she be fit to move??

jainso31

[brian james]

That's anyone's guess at the moment Jim..I haven't heard anything from the salvage crews in the news as yet....here's hoping.... if or when the FFO is offloaded they may be able to move her!...She does look like she has gone a fair distance up onto Astrolabe Reef...so a lot depends I suppose on how badly holed her hull is and of course the ever changing weather conditions.......Regards Brian........

[jainso31]

Brian given that the FFO can to a large extent be pumped out-can the deck cargo be moved by whatever means.If they were pulled into the sea-would they float or simply sink or are there special rules regulating the recovery of deck cargo.???Thanks again Brian.

jainso31

[Old Salt]

Well, good to see you were on top of things whilst I was in drydock for a week !

The transferring of oil is very slow , will take days at the current rate.
About 90 containers fallen off now, some now ashore, some sunk and located by Navy, Gradually drifting ashore at increasing distances from Rena. I have no idea how they plan to remove them from the ship. The top ones are very high, all on a 23 deg angle ... lethal for anyone trying to work amongst them

There is so much media in NZ on this subject , i cease to read it anymore. I just grab the headlines. Apprently the oil in the tanks on the lower side will be difficult to pump out.

At least she is still in one piece, but that cannot last

And it is bloody distracting from the Rugby World Cup ! Final tonight !! .....GO ALL BLACKS !

Brian

[brian james]

Yeah Brian...give the froggies a hiding!!.....

[jainso31]

You two make a formidable team and I can tell Old Salt is back on form.Thank you for the update on the Rena.It now seems that it is going to be a long and arduous task to complete sorting out this mess.I am surprised that you have not been offered outside help to solve the container problem.
PS I too hope the All Blacks WIN!!
jainso31

[ludsie]

What is currently happening with the Rena (i know how the rugby went) the news wires seem to have dried up over here

[derek s.langsdon]

Hope our NZ mates can add info but see that as of today 737 tonnes of fuel oil been removed from the Rena theres still 650 tonnes aboard submerged in starboard tank and engine room..don't see any word on overall safety of the ship, so imagine remains stuck firm....

..also some 200 volounteers helping cleanup the shoreline.

derek-L

[jainso31]

Yes Derek- my understanding is that the ship is stuck fast on the reef and has a 20 degree list.Some containers on the deck have gone into the sea and sunk, others (floaters) have been salvaged.According to your figures there does not appear to be a lot of oil left in the ship.??

jainso31

[ludsie]

Thanks for the update Derek this sounds like a terrible and avoidable incident

[jainso31]

The link relates to yesterday's news from NZ re. the RENA tanker oil spill.:(

jainso31

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/more-oil-rena-washes-ashore-4484412

[Old Salt]

Over 370 New Zealand Defence Force personnel continue to support Maritime NZ, other Government agencies and the people of Tauranga with ships, aircraft and clean-up teams deployed to the area.

A team of specialists from the Navy Littoral Warfare Support Group have combined their skills, conducting daily underwater surveys of the shipping channel to track container movements and to confirm shipping lanes are clear of hazards.

“Maintaining an open channel for the movement of vessels into the Port of Tauranga is essential,” says Lieutenant Commander Deane Ingram, Commanding Officer of the Mine Counter Measures Team.

MANAWANUI, ROTOITI and PUKAKI continue to provide assistance - supplying imagery and information to Maritime NZ on MV RENA’s condition, as well as maritime exclusion zone patrols as required.

Seasprite and Iroquois helicopters are supporting Maritime NZ with aerial observation flights, transport of salvage experts to and from MV RENA, and night Search and Rescue Response standby.

Soldiers from Army units around the North Island are working alongside civilian volunteers on the beach clean-up effort, and assisting with transport of civilian volunteers.

“The team is pleased with the daily effort, though it’s dirty, messy, hard work. I’m proud of what they are achieving,” says Major Andrew Fortune.

A number of Defence personnel are assisting Maritime NZ with planning and liaison at the Incident Command Centre.

NZ Defence Force elements are also providing humanitarian aid to our Pacific neighbours in Tuvalu, in addition to continuing to meet our other global commitments with over 700 personnel currently deployed on operational missions and exercises around the world.

RNZN

[jainso31]

Thanks for your fulsome update on the RENA oil spill and the efforts being made to combat it Brian.
I must say that NZ certainly know how to look after themselves; and the way every agency incl.the armed forces are pitching in with a will. Kia Kaha to them all.

jainso31