10 Apr 2012

Rena debris clean-up moves to Tairua area

10:28 am on 10 April 2012

The company responsible for cleaning up cargo spilled from the wreck of the Rena has sent equipment to Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula so teams can start clearing debris from parts of the coastline where access is difficult.

Last week, heavy seas pushed the ship's stern section under water, more containers broke free and debris washed up in large quantities along the Coromandel coastline.

Thames Coromandel District Council operations manager Greg Hampton says teams from recovery company Braemar Howells cleared five tonnes of debris on Saturday.

More waste is expected to be found around rocky inlets and outcrops that are difficult to reach by land.

On Tuesday, a barge together with two inflatable boats, a helicopter and teams of swimmers and divers will begin scouring the those areas.