Port of Tauranga

24 Hour Vessel Movements Resume

Posted on 14th October 2011

Maritime New Zealand and the Navy have been very supportive of the need to maintain port operations over the last few days. A helicopter has been made available to us to fly the shipping channel (over an eight nautical mile width) from the Mount out to Mayor Island, twice daily.

 

The latest air reconnaissance has not located any floating containers. The revised shipping route into the pilot boarding area remains. The Harbourmaster has recommended to vessel masters that they proceed toward the pilot station from Mayor Island at a speed of no greater than 10 knots.

Navy personnel, in conjunction with our own staff, are carrying out underwater sonar surveys to locate and mark submerged containers if they enter shipping channels and port areas.

Current and predicted weather over the next four days suggests further debris is likely to move east, away from the harbour entrance.

Shipping movements and cargo operations continue as normal.

The situation is being monitored continually and we will advise you if there is any change.