WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- Salvage teams are back on the Rena cargo vessel stranded off the coast of New Zealand but rough weather is hampering fuel removal, officials said.
As much as 2,000 barrels of oil leaked from the ship after it struck a reef in the Bay of Plenty. Maritime New Zealand, the agency overseeing the response, said it was able to get a salvage team back on Rena after rough weather caused delays this week.
The ship is listing badly, MNZ said, and rough seas have pushed the stern section further from its original position, though its bow is still sitting firmly on the reef. There is a noticeable crack in the ship's hull and responders are on scene in the event the ship breaks up.
Andrew Berry, MNZ salvage unit manager, said there was a "very light sheen of oil" seen moving away from the ship Wednesday.
MNZ added weather conditions Wednesday are poor. There are strong winds in the area and crews are experiencing swells as high as 13 feet.
New Zealand military forces responding to oil spills and cargo containers that broke off from Rena are standing down but remain on standby. Small spots of oil are washing up on the beach, though MNZ said most of the coast has been cleared of oil.
