Sharks attack sonar gear, add risks to search for Rena`s sunken containers

THE search for sunken containers of the stricken containership Rena, which has been grounded in New Zealand`s Bay of Plenty, was suspended due to shark attacks on the underwater sonar gear used to trace the lost boxes.

Department of Conservation shark expert Clinton Duffy said it was not surprising to see that as it is the season for a large number of versatile types of fish, such as tuna, to pass through the area, so it was likely the sharks saw the sonar as a fish.


So far, 89 containers has fallen into the sea from the Rena and only 25 boxes have been founded, reported Australia`s Sky news.


The report said 17 more boxes were removed from Rena at the weekend and 227 have been unloaded by salvage boat Svitzer.


The 3,030-TEU Rena was carrying 1,368 containers when it ran aground on Astrolabe reef off New Zealand`s North Island coast on October 5.


"Sensors on board the Rena have detected some additional minor movement, but there is no overall change to the status of the vessel. However, it still remains in fragile state," said the Bay of Plenty regional council.


Recovery operations were hampered by storms last week, and the recovery will resume once the weather clears.