Stricken container ship off NZ breaks in two pieces
Source: Agencies |
January 9, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A STRICKEN container ship wedged on a reef off a New Zealand holiday spot has broken up in stormy weather but is still on the reef after running aground three months ago, raising fears of a fresh oil spill.
The 47,230-tonne Liberian-flagged Rena has been stranded on a reef 22 kilometers off Tauranga on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island since running aground on October 5.
Maritime authorities said both sections of the ship were on the Astrolabe Reef, with the stern section about 30 meters away from the bow after being pounded by wild weather overnight.
"While the two sections remain on the reef, both are now open to the sea and vulnerable to more damage," said Maritime New Zealand Salvage Unit Manager David Billington.
The stern section of the 236-meter ship was listing heavily at about 24 degrees and was heaving in swells of about 4.5 metres, he said.
"The bow section is still firmly wedged in place on the reef, but it is open to flooding from the sea and is expected to deteriorate further in the rough conditions," Billington said.
Hundreds of containers stacked on the ship's deck had been tipped into the sea when it broke apart.
National On Scene Commander Alex van Wijngaarden said the response teams had been mobilized, including oil spill and wildlife experts.
"Any oil coming ashore in the coming days is expected to be much less the amount that washed up after the Rena first went aground," van Wijngaarden said.
The 47,230-tonne Liberian-flagged Rena has been stranded on a reef 22 kilometers off Tauranga on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island since running aground on October 5.
Maritime authorities said both sections of the ship were on the Astrolabe Reef, with the stern section about 30 meters away from the bow after being pounded by wild weather overnight.
"While the two sections remain on the reef, both are now open to the sea and vulnerable to more damage," said Maritime New Zealand Salvage Unit Manager David Billington.
The stern section of the 236-meter ship was listing heavily at about 24 degrees and was heaving in swells of about 4.5 metres, he said.
"The bow section is still firmly wedged in place on the reef, but it is open to flooding from the sea and is expected to deteriorate further in the rough conditions," Billington said.
Hundreds of containers stacked on the ship's deck had been tipped into the sea when it broke apart.
National On Scene Commander Alex van Wijngaarden said the response teams had been mobilized, including oil spill and wildlife experts.
"Any oil coming ashore in the coming days is expected to be much less the amount that washed up after the Rena first went aground," van Wijngaarden said.
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