Storm Rips Off Part of 'Rena' Fore Section

Earlier this week rough weather damaged the bow of the container ship stranded in New Zealand waters off Tauranga.

In their latest update Salvors, Resolve Marine, report as follows:

High wind and rough seas early this week resulted in approximately 25m of the fore section, weighing around 250 tonnes, being ripped free from the aft portside and falling to the sea bed. This section included the boat landing platform and access ladder, with gas cutting equipment also going overboard.

No salvors were onboard at the time and the loss of equipment has not delayed salvage efforts.

Inspecting the wreck when the weather cleared, Resolve’s Senior Salvage Master, Francis Leckey said: “while on board, the wreck was still rolling and pitching”.  “From the visual inspection there was a slight increase in the trim of approximately 2-3 degree heel to starboard.”

Salvors continue to work onboard. In total this week, Resolve Salvage & Fire have removed approximately 45-50 pieces of steel which weighed 100 tonnes  from the forecastle, aft portside and transverses