Rena removal plan abandoned after debris moves in storm

摘要

Plans to remove the second part of the aft section of the sunken container ship Rena in New Zealand will not be pursued after a sonar survey confirmed the change in movement during Cyclone Lusi has left it in a risky salvage position. A spokesperson for the ship's owners and insurers - Daina Shipping and The Swedish Club - Hugo Shanahan said the survey undertaken after the March storm shows that the aft section of the hull of the vessel has moved on the face of Astrolabe Reef. The remaining accommodation block section now lies in water 24-53m deep. The aft section has rotated on the stern, so it is now lying further to starboard and has been significantly weakened, presenting an even greater safety risk and technical challenge for ongoing salvage operations.