The plan to refloat a barge that ran aground on a West Coast beach “is on track”.
The Westland Mineral Sands barge ran aground near Westport over the weekend.
Teams had worked since Sunday towards freeing the vessel.
In an update today, a Westland Mineral Sands spokesperson said: “The vessel is stable, the hull and all tanks are intact, there are no leaks and there is no immediate risk to the environment.
“The weather is good, the tides are favourable and the specialist recovery team’s plan to refloat the Manahau is on track.”
Towing vessel MMA Vision has arrived at Carters Beach to help with the recovery, the spokesperson added.
“A smaller tug, the Kurutai, is enroute from Napier and will reach Westport later this evening.
“All 11 crew remain safe and comfortable on board and have undergone welfare checks to ensure their wellbeing.
“Westland Mineral Sands has engaged an independent expert to help us understand how this incident occurred, and their investigation is well underway,” the spokesperson said.
A Maritime New Zealand statement earlier today said the agency “continues to work with the grounded Manahau barge’s operator and regional and district councils today to oversee the safety of the salvage operation”.
“The barge’s operator is responsible for the salvage plan, and the work to implement it.”
