Ship grounded off NZ barely holding together
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Xinhua, December 31, 2011
The Liberian-flagged cargo ship that ran aground on a New Zealand reef almost three months ago is close to being torn apart by rough weather, Radio New Zealand reported Saturday.
Maritime New Zealand (MNZ), the country's shipping authority, said cracks in the Rena had widened significantly and there was very little holding the vessel together, according to the report.
MNZ national on-scene commander Mick Courtnell told Radio New Zealand the cracks midway along the hull had become significant splits and an onboard camera was clearly showing containers inside the vessel.
He said the forward part of the ship was firmly wedged on the Astrolabe Reef, about 12 nautical miles offshore near the North Island port of Tauranga, while the stern had been trying to tear itself free from the rest of the vessel.
The stranded vessel was currently being pounded by swells of 4 to 4.5 meters, said the report.
Courtnell said a significant amount of oil trapped in the duct keel, which ran along the center of the ship, was likely to be washed on to nearby beaches in the "very, very rough" conditions.
Experts were flying over the vessel Saturday to check its condition and look for any signs of oil spills.
The Rena grounded on Oct. 5, causing one of New Zealand's worst oil spills and its Filipino captain and navigation officer have been charged in connection with the grounding and resulting pollution.
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