The Rena in January. More debris has fallen from the vessel into the sea. Photo/ Graeme Brown
The Rena in January. More debris has fallen from the vessel into the sea. Photo/ Graeme Brown
Six metre swells overnight caused the stern and forward section of the stricken cargo ship Rena to move, spilling containers into the rough seas and creating a moving debris field.
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) said observation flights showed containers and debris had fallen from the ship as it was hammeredby massive swells last night.
Response and recovery manager David Billington said two containers had been spotted floating about two kilometres from the wreck.
Bags of milk powder and timber were also floating in a debris field spreading about two nautical miles south east of the vessel, he said.
He advised boaties to avoid the area between the Rena and Motiti Island.
"There is timber in the water, which could certainly cause damage if vessels came into contact with it at speed."
Mr Billington said the storm had also damaged bulkheads at the front of the stern section and caused structural damage to the forward section of the Rena.
Two tug boats, a fast response vessel, one barge, and a plane were assessing whether sea conditions would allow debris collection to get under way, he said.
