The Rena's resistance to sinking is nearing a tough test as sea swells measuring up to seven metres are forecast for this weekend.
These are the biggest sea swells to broach the container ship since it grounded on the Astrolabe Reef on October 5.
Rena appears to be in one piece - this photo taken today by MNZ. See photos of ship damage below.
The ship is now effectively in two pieces, with the crack in its hull dividing the forward and aft sections of the ship – although both sections remain on the reef.
It is not known whether the ship is still joined underneath as bad weather continues to prevent divers from assessing its underside.
Maritime New Zealand describes the ship as being in a 'fragile, but stable” condition.
Rena, still hard to the Astrolabe Reef after three months. Photo: MNZ.
A low pressure system is expected to arrive on Saturday afternoon, with the worst weather expected on Sunday, bringing sea swells of 6-7m.
Previous storms have brought sea swells of 3-4 metres.
Salvors are making the most of the good weather forecast today and on Friday to remove some of the 898 containers on the ship.
MNZ says the salvors' focus is on removing containers from the Rena's No.6 hold as it offers the easiest access.
Fourteen containers were removed from the No.7 hold on Wednesday.
These were loaded onto the Sea Tow 60 with a total of 15 containers now on that barge.
Salvors are continuing to pump the remaining oil remnants from the No.5 starboard fuel tank, with 35 minutes of pumping taking place on Wednesday.
MNZ says preparations are underway with teams on standby if more oil is released from Rena following the bad weather this weekend.
Containers on the bow of the vessel continue to remain lashed down and have been fitted with transponders in anticipation of the severe weather front.
MNZ onboard photos of Rena damage
The port side crack at No.3 hold from on deck.
The port side crack at No.3 hold from below deck.
A further below deck view of the port side crack at No.3 hold.
Salvors repair a hatch on Rena.
3 comments
Have they thought of this ?
Posted on 05-01-2012 18:06 | By MINDER
An Auckland friend of mine suggested that the salvors weld several 6 metre steel RSJs across the crack to help secure the RENA from breaking up. Is there any reason this simple option would not work or at least assist ??
7 m
Posted on 05-01-2012 20:04 | By bengundry
where do they pull these numbers from? sounds like bs. most forecasts are still only saying approx 3m. the top of a power post is around 7m http://www.ecmwf.int/products/forecasts/d/charts/medium/deterministic/msl_uv850_z500!Wind%20850%20and%20mslp!0!Australia!pop!od!oper!public_plots!2012010500!!/
NOT A TEST
Posted on 05-01-2012 20:22 | By DRONE
The Rena is doomed, it is just a case of how long it takes and so when
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