Rena shipwreck on Astrolabe - How is it possible to remove?

RENA - Two and a half rugby fields long & 33 metres wide. Now sits on the Astrolabe Reef at 55 metres Deep at low  water mark. How is it possible to remove?  My personal view: The Rena-wreck should remain on the Reef!

I realise that this is a high risk factor for all concerned - especially where human input is required to work as such a depth when attempting to remove this vessel.

The operational costs - would be phenomenal. In the meantime the present workmanship on the Rena are doing a fantastic job for the clean up – above and below the water line. A big thank you to all involved, including Tangata Whenua, for the work done so far.

This was an accident waiting to happen for many years previously! When I was a young lad, I would gallop my pony to the northern end of the Island to watch the ships sail by, it seemed like only a stones throw away. This indicated to me it must be deep water just there. Now, 50 years on and I am retired, the shipping lane has moved out in line with ‘Otaiti’.

We have a beacon light, which has been flashing approximately 50 years. It is positioned 150 metres inland from the cliff edge, and is based on the RANGITAHUA Pa Site. This is the largest Pa Site on Mōtītī Island – 56 metres above sea level. It’s clearly visible to all ships and all shipping lanes as it has a 360 degree focus. When sailing – we have to give way to all ships.

To remove? No!

The wreck should be left in a ‘safe environmental position’. This also requires time and effort and a lot of physical, dangerous work by human beings. Just observe my detailed drawings of the Rena Wreck as it now lies 65 metres deep in the open sea waters stuck to a rock.