Rena grounding insights

The boxship ran aground on Astrolabe Reef on October 5, 2011.

The grounding saw a 60-metre hole ripped in the bow with the vessel since being almost totally submerged by the pounding sea.

“The scale of this incident was beyond what had been comprehended or planned for by Maritime New Zealand,” Mr Manch told the Natship 12 conference in Melbourne.

“The Rena grounded near some of the most pristine and popular beaches and ecologically-important areas.”

He said the vessel was carrying about 1700 tonnes of heavy fuel oil at the time of the incident.

After the ship ran aground on Astrolabe Reef, there was widespread community concern about perceived lack of action from authorities.

“One of the biggest issues ... was communication and community engagement,” he told the conference.