Rena Grounding Update

Posted by Gold FM on 12/10/2011

There's no good news when it comes to the disaster that's unfolding off the Bay of Plenty coast due to the grounding of the container ship Rena on the Astrolabe Reef last week.

The ship is starting to list heavily and the mostly Filipino crew on board were forced to evacuate the stricken boat yesterday.

Navigational warnings have been issued and shipping is being re-routed to avoid the area.

With 1700 tonnes of fuel known to be on board the Rena the accident is being described as New Zealand's worst environmental disaster. Efforts to offload the fuel have failed due to the weather. Fears are growing that the leaking oil will become significantly worse over time.

Globules of the toxic oil were reported to be appearing on Waihi Beach last night and the weather is not helping causing containers to slip and fall into the sea as well.

The Whangamata Emergency Management Group is planning a co-ordinated response to prepare for the possible arrival of toxic oil and the Waikato Regional Council is assessing beaches from Whiritoa to Opoutere daily looking for oil residue.

People are being warned to report the where-abouts of any containers that come ashore and reminded that the goods in the containers belong to the owners with prosecutuions likely for removing anything from them. There is also a possibilty that some of the containers contain chemicals or hazardous goods that need to be dealt with appropriately. There were 1368 containers on board the Rena and 11 of them contained hazardous goods.

The Captain of the Rena was arrested, charged with offences under the Maritime Act and appeared in the Tauranga District Court this morning. He was granted name suppression, released on bail and will reappear next Wednesday. The grounding is believed to have happened on his 44th birthday.

Maritime New Zealand is considering issuing masks to residents living closest to the worst affected areas because of the toxicity of the contaminated oil coming ashore.

Dead birds and fish are washing up on beaches and the public is asked to report any sightings of dead, injured or distressed wildlife by calling 0800 333 771.

To report oil coming ashore phone: 0800 645 774 - 0800 OIL SPILL.

If you'd like to register as a volunteer the number is 0800 645 774 or email iccrena@gmail.com with 'Volunteers - 1 for all' in the subject line.