Salvors start removing oil from boxship

   Maritime New Zealand said salvors are working to remove bunker fuel from the containership Rena which went aground last Wednesday on Astrolabe Reef near Tauranga Harbor off New Zealand’s North Island.
   The government agency said workers began pumping fuel from the Rena to the bunker barge Awanuia at 8.30 p.m. on Sunday and about
10 tons of oil was successfully transferred before the weather turned bad and the operation was suspended. The agency said oil has been found on the beach near Tay St. in Tauranga.
   “One of the tanks containing oil has a platform in it which means the salvage team has to climb inside the tank and manually place the pumping equipment inside rather than lowering it in. This will take a little longer than planned,” Maritime New Zealand said, adding “all vents on the ship are now sealed to prevent oil escaping.”
    It also said as a precautionary measure, containers are being lashed more tightly to ensure the safety of the ship.
    The weather was expected to further deteriorate Monday with rougher seas and showers.
    Salvage experts and naval architects on board are closely monitoring the ship and have sensors in place to provide advance warning if the vessel’s structure comes under too much stress.
    The 3,351 TEU ship is owned by Athens-based Costamare and is chartered to Mediterranean Shipping Co.