Rena deathtrap: not if, but when
BRAEMAR HOWELLS/UNIMAR have so far taken 940 Rena containers ashore, including a number recovered from the seabed by divers using a decompression chamber and specialised equipment. 18 inaccessible containers are still on the wreck and the company are still recovering containers and debris from beaches in the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel.
There is an interest from local dive clubs to leave the wreck in situ as a dive attraction for the Bay of Plenty, but both Maritime NZ and New Zealand Police are concerned about the ongoing safety of divers if the wreck is left. Professional Skipper
magazine
understands that the salvors were unable to recover the total shipment of aluminium ingots onboard and there are currently some 1200 tonnes of high grade alloy in ingots weighing 25kg each, with a total value of US$2.4 million either still on the wreck, or scattered around the wreck in depths of up to 80 metres. There is also, to use the divers term, "shitloads of wine" on board. Braemar Howells/Unimar has taken on increased duties establishing an exclusion safety zone, backed by a variety of tugs, barges and fast response craft, and well-
tested response plans. The safety zone is being patrolled 24-7, and so far there have been no incidents or releases.
Salvage divers who have worked the wreck advise that the exposed location, quick drop off in depth, tidal surges, and currents, make the Rena one of the most difficult and dangerous dives in the world today. The stern section of the wreck ranges in depth from a few metres at the top of the bridge wing to 64m at the stern. The mid section poses additional dangers due to the jagged nature of the hull, open hatches, and unstable containers that remain on board. Meanwhile, the bow section remains securely pinned near the top of the reef. Professional Skipper magazine's information is based on discussions with international and local professional divers, divers from the Royal New Zealand Navy operational dive team, and the New Zealand Police dive team, who all express concern that if the wreck remains, Maritime NZ will not be able to effect compliance to a total no-go area. There are also concerns that the ongoing unstable nature and movement of remaining cargo could be a potential crush risk to divers, and that the potential for deaths is not a case of if, but when.
SOUTH PORT 2012 PROFIT REVISED
A RECORD ANNUAL tonnage of 2.69 million tonnes has been achieved by Bluff port operator South Port NZ Ltd in the 12 months ended June 30, 2012. This surpasses the previous record of 2.64 million tonnes achieved in 2011, by approximately 50,000 tonnes.
In addition, South Port Directors are signalling an upgrade in forecast tax-paid profit for the 2012 financial year. Subject to the outcome of the year-end audit, the 2012 profit figure is now expected to be in the range of $5.8-$6.0 million. The previous forecast range issued in February 2012 was $5.2-$5.5 million. Also included in the forecast 2012 profit figure is a one-off gain of $270,000 from the sale of a surplus mobile container crane. The final year-end profit will be available on August 23, 2012 once the annual audit process is completed. South Port Chairman, Rex Chapman, said improved activity occurred in both the containerised and bulk cargo areas during the last quarter of the financial year. The lift in profitability was primarily attributable to increased volumes of woodchips, fertiliser, petroleum and stock food cargo passing through South Port plus improved warehousing contributions.
September/October 2012 Professional Skipper 41
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