Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Bay Of Plenty News

01 Aug 2023

New Zealand Detains Log Carrier After Rudder Falls Off

Maritime NZ has issued a detention notice against a log carrying vessel, currently anchored off Tauranga.On Monday 24 July, the Panamanian flagged Achilles Bulker was departing Tauranga, bound for China when it encountered steering problems. It was subsequently determined that the rudder had disconnected from the ship during the outbound pilotage.The vessel remains anchored off Mount Maunganui, and the rudder was recovered by divers last week and brought to shore.Due to the rudder failure, the Achilles Bulker will need to be towed to a dry dock for repairs.Maritime NZ is working closely with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the…

20 Jan 2015

AIS Marks Hazardous Reefs Following Oil Spills

Image: Vesper Marine

Vesper Marine has been awarded the contract to provide Virtual Automatic Identification System (AIS) Beacons to mark seven reefs hazardous to shipping in the Bay of Plenty, as well as provide a coastal monitoring capability. The beacons will alert ships’ crews and the local government’s Regional Council that a vessel is heading towards a charted danger or entering the no-go zone around each hazard. The contract is in response to the October 5, 2011 events that resulted in the worst environmental disaster in New Zealand’s history…

09 Sep 2020

Rena Grounding Response Reviewed

(Credit: Maritime New Zealand)

Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) welcomed the release of the independent review of its response to the grounding of the Rena, and the announcement of $2 million of government funding to help improve New Zealand’s maritime response capability.The report, by independent reviewer Simon Murdoch, was released today by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee.MNZ Director Keith Manch said the organization was already implementing a number of the review recommendations and the funding package would help MNZ develop a wider strategic and operational response to maritime incidents.In the review report…

24 Sep 2013

Resolve Marine's New ETV Heads for NZ Waters

'Resolve Monarch': Photo credit Resolve Marine Group

Resolve Marine Group has further strengthened its fleet with the acquisition of the 152-ton bollard emegency towing vessel (ETV), 'Resolve Monarch', from JP Knight (Lowestoft) Ltd., and the vessel is currently en route to the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand where she will assist with Resolve’s work on the 'MV Rena' project. Previously named the Anglican Monarch, the purpose built (ETV) was on contract with the United Kingdom government, where she served as part of the government’s coast line emergency response fleet, actively involved in many high-profile maritime casualty rescues.

02 Apr 2013

'Rena' Owners Prefer to Leave Wreck on Astrolabe Reef

Rena Grounding – Early Days: Photo credit NZ Defence Force

Heavy fuel oil on board the wrecked container ship is expected to leach out over time, but the ship's owners and insurers would prefer to leave it where it is. No decision had been made on leaving Rena on the reef, but draft assessments have been distributed for stakeholder and regional council review. Meanwhile the Maritime New Zealand order for full wreck removal remains in place, reports the Bay of Plenty Times. Matt Casey QC, and Keith Frentz from Beca AMEC, recently presented a report to the Tauranga City council on behalf of Daina Shipping Company and insurer The Swedish Club.

02 Oct 2012

'Rena' Owners Reach Financial Settlement with NZ Government

The New Zealand Government & Daina Shipping Company settle amount due arising from the container ship's grounding on 5, October 2011. Keith Manch, Director of Maritime New Zealand, confirmed that Daina Shipping Company will pay $27.6 million to settle the claims of the Crown and public bodies including Maritime NZ, Bay of Plenty District Health Board, Environmental Protection Agency, the Minister of Local Government (signing as the territorial authority for Motiti island), and the New Zealand Transport Agency. "This was a very complex negotiation given the range of issues and parties involved, and represents a good outcome for New Zealanders," said Mr Manch.

24 Aug 2012

Latest on 'Rena' Salvage

Salvors report steel cutting on board the 'Rena' continued with very good progress made during the current stable weather window. •    An additional 70 tonnes has been removed from the forward section using the Bell 214 helicopter. •    This brings the total steel weight removed to approximately 200 tonnes. •    The focus for the coming week – weather permitting – will be the continued cutting of the forecastle deck and deck equipment, as well as replenishing cutting materials and equipment by helicopter. •    On behalf of the owners and insurers, Braemar recovery teams have been in full swing, with land, sea and air operations underway this week.

17 Aug 2012

Wrecked Container Ship 'Rena' Salvage & Cargo Recovery Update

'Rena' Hatches Exposed: Photo credit Maritime NZ

The first steel fore sections cut & removed from 'Rena', with the Bell 214 heavy-lift helicopter completing 14 separate lifts to the barge Kapua. •    The barge made its first landing in Tauranga with an estimated 40 tonnes of steel, which included  deck equipment and pieces of winches from the fo’c’sle. •    Work is continuing with the modifications to the helicopter landing platform, and pre-cutting of upper decks, fo’c’sle deck, and equipment. •    Helicopter-to-barge transfers will continue next week.

23 May 2012

Container Recovery from RENA continues

RENA Container Recovery Passes 800 Mark. The number of containers recovered from the stricken Rena on Mount Mauganui’s Astrolabe Reef has risen above the 800 mark. A total of 815 of the 1,368 containers have now been brought to port. Braemar Howells’ operations manager Neil Lloyd confirmed numbers were boosted this week with 21 containers landed on Monday, and a further eight on Tuesday. The good weather and calm sea conditions had enabled the good progress, and also favoured continuing shoreline debris recovery operations.