Ship grounded on New Zealand reef watched for signs of oil spill

WELLINGTON, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's shipping authorities have cordoned off a Liberian-flagged container ship that has grounded on a reef off the east of the North Island as they attempt to assess whether it poses an environmental risk.

The 236-meter cargo ship Rena struck the Astrolabe Reef, about 12 nautical miles off the coast near Tauranga Harbour, at around 2. 20 a.m. Wednesday and was listing, said a statement from Maritime New Zealand (MNZ).

None of the 25 crew aboard the 47,000-tonne vessel were reported injured, it said.

A light sheen of oil was visible around the ship, but it was thought to be hydraulic oil from the engine and was not considered "a significant environmental risk at this point," it said.

By the looks of the picture above, one would be inclined to think that this ship is going down. The article states later on that the ship is at a 10-degree 'list' and is believed to be stable on the reef.

They are currently working to pump water from the ships holds and are transferring fuel from one side of the ship to the other as a safety measure.

Also, a 'safety net' perimeter is being set around the ship in case the worst happens.

Amazing picture (and a couple more if you check the link), I am surprised it does not go over. That's an awful lot of weight.

Source

reply to post by kalunom


I wonder if that was New Zealand time? I don't think so, because we didn't hear about it yesterday. Low tide this morning was about 7 am, the water should be going up, maybe it will shift loose by high tide (about quarter after 1.) We had a boat get stuck up north earlier in the year - (crew were drunk or asleep or something dodgy) - and it stayed stuck for weeks. Hope that thing isn't leaking!!

Do you think they could fit a few more containers on that hulk? Another question .How do you get a licence do drive one of those ,if you cant even read a chart or Nav-man

already spilling but nothing major at the moment!!!! check link below
uk.news.yahoo.com...;_ylt=AgHHcD9MrAL0qZpw5N6IWfj3fMl_;_ylu=X3o'___'N0OHUwMDJ0BG1pdANK dW1ib3Ryb24gU2NpZW5jZVNGBHBrZwMwYmUxMWI0MC0yMjBlLTNiNTAtOGM4OC02ODRkMmQ5YzdlMjcEcG9zAzEEc2VjA2p1bWJvdHJvbgR2ZXIDZWY2ZjE3ZDAtZWY4Yy0xMWUwLWJiN2QtOTAxY2 M2MmJkZWZj;_ylg=X3o'___'Fsdm43ZW9kBGludGwDZ2IEbGFuZwNlbi1nYgRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzY2llbmNlBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3

reply to post by ovumcranium


I think the time given is local to the Xinhua news in China...so that 7 am low tide you mention would make sense. I think China is 4 or 5 hours behind you in New Zealand.

just wanted to update this story, the ship has now leaked outa slick over 5km of oil and efforts to contain it have failed so far, and wildlife are dying.. makes me sad, so much for our "100% pure" tourism slogan..

source

This is a tragedy because it is threatening one of the purest environments in the world - and it is threatening a small island where a few people live. It is threatening their food source - the ocean.

This area is a treasured deep sea diving place. And the huge 'cathedral' formation is threatened because this ship is sitting on it and has probably already destroyed it.

Do ships have external guidance, like planes?

Or is it up to them?

Whatever, these people deserve serious punishment.

From RSOE

A hazardous substance aboard the stranded cargo ship Rena could give off highly flammable hydrogen gas if it comes into contact with water.....

...the vessel was carrying four containers of the alloy ferrosilicon, a solid substance which was a potential fire risk. "If it comes into contact with water it gives off hydrogen gas, which is reasonably flammable. It would obviously need a spark to go up, but that's a risk we have to look into,''.....

.... A Transport Accident Investigation Commission inquiry has been launched to find out how the ship became grounded on the reef at near-high tide. Spokesman Peter Northcote said the inquiry could take up to a year to complete, but interim reports or urgent safety recommendations could come sooner if needed. "This event, involving such a large ship and finding itself on a reef where it shouldn't have been, automatically qualifies itself for investigation,'' he said.

Ugh.

The oil is caked on pure beaches.

Sea birds and penguins are dying. And all the oceanic creatures.

And still there is no solution.

It is down to greed, as usual. Because the tanker was not fit.

Before this tanker grounded on the reef it cut right across another huge tanker which had to leap out of its way - not easy, and I salute that captain.

I think the captain of this tanker was drunk, stoned, or otherwise occupied, and he has committed a huge crime against nature.

More than 350 tonnes of oil has spilled into the ocean since the 47,000-tonne cargo ship grounded on the Astrolabe Reef off the Tauranga coast on October 5.

The stricken Rena is now settled "comfortably" on Astrolabe reef, but is only just holding itself together because of its position, a Marine expert says.

Of 88 containers reported missing from the ship, 35 have been identified and 14 have been recovered.

The 19 Filipino crew members left the country after they were interviewed and had their statements taken... "The Filipino people fully understand what the people of New Zealand, especially those in the Tauranga communities are going through right now," the statement said.

The Rena's navigation officer has been released on bail after appearing in the Tauranga District Court... He faces charges under section 65 of the Maritime Act for "operating a vessel in a manner causing unnecessary danger or risk"... The hearing was almost identical to that of the Rena's captain, who was granted the same conditions yesterday.

just updating this disaster

As well as oil, nearly 17 tonnes of tiny plastic beads the Rena was carrying may pose a threat to wildlife as rubbish washes up on Bay of Plenty beaches in New Zealand. A container of translucent polymer beads, about 2mm to 3mm in size and used in the plastics industry, was aboard the ship when it crashed into the Astrolabe reef more than three months ago.

news.smh.com.au...

My friend seems to think the Rena was an ecological attack against New Zealand by New World Order scum. People are up in arms about the oil and rightly so but this 17 Tonnes of plastic beads is much more devastating...

Hrmmmmm..... Not happy about that

Just a heads up if you havnt seen it yet but Rena has snaped in half

www.guardian.co.uk...