Big swell halts Rena container removal

A fine weather day on shore yesterday did not result in a bumper container collection at sea.

Long, low swells meant no more containers were able to be removed from the cargo ship Rena.

While the weather was fine and sunny in Tauranga, out at the Astrolabe Reef the swell and tide conditions made it too dangerous to attempt to lift containers off. The total removed remained at 165.

Maritime New Zealand salvage unit manager Kenny Crawford said it was important to remember the operation was weather dependent and the safety of the salvors remained the team's priority.

He said the weather was being continually monitored for another clear spell and in the meantime the salvage crews were undertaking preparatory work. "Containers that can be readily accessed are being taken off, and we can't put a time scale on the operation as we have good days and then days when none can be removed.

"Every container is unique and removal of deck containers needs to be carried out to allow access to the holds," he said.

"Health and safety conditions for the salvors are being constantly monitored, including gas detection." Maritime New Zealand has revealed that 960 tonnes of waste have been disposed of from beach clean-up operations while another 1331 tonnes of liquid waste - more than 13,000 litres - has come from the bird washing process at the wildlife centre, where 245 penguins and 43 dotterels are still housed.

So far, 7950 people have registered as clean-up volunteers, as well as 154 groups including corporate groups with another 4904 people. Volunteers have spent 18,975 hours working on beach clean-ups and 750 hours have been worked under the Adopt-A-Beach programme.

The last planned beach cleaning opportunities for volunteers take place at Papamoa East, opposite Grant Place, at 8am each day until Sunday.