Rena Update (#35)

There has been no reported change in the Rena's situation overnight, and salvors plan to board the vessel today to resume pumping operations.

Weather in the area currently consists of 2-3m swells and winds of 10 knots.

A team of three salvors plan to re-board the vessel this morning to carry out a general safety assessment, before more salvors can come on board and begin reconnecting oil transfer equipment.

With poor weather yesterday preventing salvors from pumping oil off the vessel, teams spent the day preparing equipment, including generators, pumps and additional work platforms, in anticipation of being able to resume work today.

An observation flight will also take place around 7.30am to assess the vessel's condition.

National On Scene Commander Captain Ian Niblock says there have been no reports of fresh oil coming ashore overnight, but that teams of responders are well prepared and ready to go should more land.

"However, more container debris is expected to come ashore over the coming days, and anyone finding this material is asked to please report it to Maritime New Zealand on 0800 645 774 (0800 OIL SPILL). It is important that trained salvage experts recover this material. It is also important that people report dead or oiled wildlife (birds, mammals and fish) to the Oiled Wildlife Response Team on 0800 333 771."

Capt. Niblock says forward planning will also continue today, with the Incident Command Centre continuing to extend its area of operations to cover the East Cape.

ENDS

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