Underwater Salvage Work on 'Rena' Starts Soon

A specialist team of divers from the United States, plus the RMG 280 crane barge due to arrive shortly, reports the wreck salvors.

Latest reports from the site follow:

Salvage (Resolve Salvage & Fire)
    •    The total combined weight of steel removed is now approximately 430 tonnes, which is more than 20 per cent of the total weight to be removed.
    •    The RMG 280 crane barge is expected to arrive in port this evening (Friday, 14 September).
    •    With the arrival of the barge and a specialised team of divers from the United States, underwater salvage operations are expected to commence next week.
    •    The crane barge – which will operate from deeper water at the aft end of the bow section - can raise significantly larger pieces of steel (up to 40 tonnes) than the helicopters.
    •    The above water and underwater operations will run simultaneously.

Braemar Howells/Unimar Update
    •    The Braemar/Unimar teams’ new vessel Tasman Challenger, bought in to help with the removal of debris from the surrounding seabed as the Rena’s bow section is cut away, has this week made a strong start.
    •    The 26m vessel has been specially fitted out for the role. Divers are sent down to hook lines to larger pieces of scrap which are lifted aboard by crane, and also fill baskets (which can hold over one tonne), with smaller items.
    •    Operations Manager Mike Richards says that more than 20 tonnes of container scrap, scrap steel, coils of wire and other material has been successfully recovered in little more than a day. “The teams have done an excellent job which is continuing at a steady pace today, while the weather conditions remain favourable.