If the writer ran a business here relying on tourists, they would understand their worry.
The captain and officer charged are not in New Zealand for a holiday. To call Immigration New Zealand idiots for just doing their jobs can only fall back to the writer and it needs an apology.
The writer obviously also does not worry about all the volunteers and the many hours they have spent cleaning up our beaches.
D Vogel, Te Puna
Missing beacon
I would like to know why the Rena was left to sink. If the hatch covers had been replaced then watertight integrity would have been maintained, keeping the stern from sinking. Once free of the reef, the salvage tug could have easily handled her.
There are plenty of instances where large ships have broken in two and stayed afloat and upright, particularly stern sections.
The salvage company will stand to make significantly greater revenue now that the job is more complex. Perhaps a ministerial inquiry is appropriate considering that taxpayers will no doubt pick up the tab.
Much criticism has been levelled at Rena's crew but if the Astrolabe had an Isolated Danger Mark this surely would not have happened. How many ships over the years have just missed? We will never know but I bet there have been dozens of them. Just ask the Motiti Islanders.
Sooner or later it will happen again. The blame for this has to be shared by those who are responsible for marking dangers to navigation. Perhaps the ministry should investigate this as well.
Just how much could have been saved by a simple beacon?
R Lacey, Katikati
