Rena update

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Rena navigational safety warnings continue
For immediate release: 4.15pm, Tuesday 3 April 2012

Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Harbourmaster has issued navigational safety warnings for the Bay of Plenty following the release of containers and debris from MV Rena today.

The debris is currently to the west of the Rena and heading in a West South West direction, but changing tides and the stormy weather conditions may affect its direction, and vessel operators are urged to keep a good look-out.

An exclusion zone of two nautical miles around Rena remains in force.

Vessel operators are reminded that additional temporary exclusion zones require them to stay at least 200 metres clear of any beached or floating containers from the Rena, as well as any salvage vessel working on the response.

The exclusion zones ensure that response operations can continue safely, without hindrance from other vessels. They are also intended to keep vessels away from areas that are known to contain navigational safety hazards such as containers and debris from the Rena.

The exclusion zone is regularly reviewed in conjunction with the Maritime New Zealand, who lead the response operations.

Anyone found in the exclusion zone without the express permission of the Harbourmaster may be prosecuted.

Vessel operators are also reminded to take extra care around any anchored containers and the three anchoring sites, used for corralling containers in the water. These areas may contain unlit buoys, ropes, chains and anchors, so people should keep well clear. These sites are east of Rabbit Island (Motuotau Island), off the western side of Motiti Island and off the coast of Papamoa Beach.

People are advised to check the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website (www.boprc.govt.nz) or contact local marine radio operators to find out the latest information.
Please notify Maritime New Zealand on 0800 645 774 to report oil. To report containers and debris, please call 0800 333 771.
Ends

Great sailing and windsurfing at Kulim Park, Tauranga today.

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Kulim Park was a hive of activity today with people getting back into windsurfing as well as others getting out and enjoying some sailing with us.

It was also great seeing several families down having a picnic and going for sails around the Harbour in a mix of boats and kayaks.

With the wind forecast of strong easterlies the local windsurf crew were blasting back and forth.

With a promise of 20knot easterly winds tomorrow myself and Alex are aiming to head out wavesailing off main beach Mount Maunganui to get our weekly windsurf fix.

Perfect sailing and fun windsurfing at Kulim Park

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It might be the last day with summer time but summer is far from over :)

Today a mix of ages and abilities are out enjoying the Harbour. In the photo 2 German exchange students step up from sailing the Topaz singlehanded and into the bigger more powerful Omega dinghy made by Topper. Our instructors are never far away in the Red safety boat.

As expected day 3of3 was fantastic

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Despite the lack of wind we headed of across Tauranga Harbour to Matakana island, we swam and explored the beach, had lunch and on cue the wind picked up so we could all sail back to Kulim Park with big smiles and laughter.

The group sailed so well and fast that we ended up sailing unwind nearly to the mount.

Once back at Kulim Park we let the class free sail and try a mix of sailing by themselves, in pairs threes and even done fours and maybe 5 in a Topaz at one point. The Omega with Alex was kept busy doing trapezeing and flying the purple astymetric spinnaker.

This group has excelled, they are all more than good enough to pass YachtingNZ level 1 certificate. We will send then to the school next week.

A big thanks from for such a neat group lead by their teacher Fran.

Pete, Jules and Alex