Rena’s Front Fell Off… Literally

The bow section shown on June 1. No new photos of the wreckage have been released since this latest incident, however reports indicate that this section is basically gone. Smit and Svitzer are working in a joint salvage venture

Nearly a year after the MV Rena ran aground on Astrolabe Reef off New Zealand, the vessel is still not done breaking up.

Maritime New Zealand says that high winds and rough seas at the site earlier this week caused a 25m section of the vessel’s bow to be ripped free and sink. MNZ says that the 250 ton section included the boat landing platform and access ladder, with gas cutting equipment also going overboard.

Salvor Resolve’s Senior Salvage Master, Francis Leckey commented, “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.”

Thankfully no salvors were onboard when the section broke off and so far the loss of equipment has not delayed salvage efforts, although the lost section will still need to be recovered.

PS – I don’t mean to make light of the situation but I capitalize on every chance I get to post this video.

Updated: December 9, 2013 (Originally published September 7, 2012)

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