Astrolabe Reef Access Plan Stakeholder Presentation *Rena s bow thruster approx 18m
Agenda Overview Access Plan Introduction State of the Reef & Wreck Site What to Expect Timetable & Activity Questions & Answers
Overview A decision on the Resource Consent Application is due by 26 February 2016 4+ years of salvage and clean-up operations will be completed in early 2016 When this happens the Harbourmaster will be in a position as the authority for navigational safety in the region to review and potentially adjust the 2NM exclusion zone with regard to vessels under 500 tonnes As part of the volunteered conditions of any consent, an Access Plan providing recommended but non-enforceable measures & guidelines for visiting Astrolabe Reef is to be implemented The objectives of the Plan are to Provide information that encourages visitor safety Raise awareness of the state of the Reef with the wreck on it Manage an anticipated influx of visitors once the Reef is reopened It has been developed with assistance from groups with local experience & knowledge of boating, diving and general navigational safety relevant to the Reef and/or the wreckage
Three Stages to the Plan Key Activities Now until Removal of the Exclusion Zone (Nov-Feb 2016) Stakeholder information briefings on the state of the reef with the wreck on it Complete final survey of the wreck site Prepare the site including installation of marker and mooring buoys Finalise information materials: website, brochure, flyer and adverts for distribution Removal of the Exclusion Zone (2016-2017) Large numbers of vessels likely to visit as conditions allow On-site adviser on fine days during summer months Distribution and active communication of access information Maintenance of buoys, including visual assessments of the state of the wreck site 2-Years From Removal of the Exclusion Zone Interest and visitor numbers likely to have diminished Ongoing visual inspections after major storm events Changes to the state of the wreck and or new hazards communicated by the consent holder for the term of any consent Maintenance of safe navigation
Planning A Visit General Information for Skippers
Onsite Conditions (see supporting text on next slide)
Onsite Conditions Astrolabe Reef is situated 12 nautical miles from the entrance to Tauranga Harbour The Reef area covers approximately 49 hectares of which the remaining wreckage occupies less than 2% The reef is a rocky pinnacle rising up from a surrounding 75m deep seabed The uppermost parts of the reef are emergent at low Waves often break over this area of the reef It is an open ocean site potentially with heavy swells, tidal currents and wind conditions Currents can be unpredictable, strong and change suddenly If you haven t visited Astrolabe Reef before it is worth speaking to one of the many local fishing, boating or dive retailers or clubs as part of your planning The latest notices to mariners for the area should be referred to prior to departing, available at: www.linz.govt.nz/sea/maritime-safety/notices-mariners or Contact the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster Ahead of the Exclusion Zone being lifted detailed access information materials will be available online as well as distributed to local dive and boating clubs, shops
Accessing the Reef & Wreck Site
Fishing *See next slide for supporting text
Fishing The wreck is fully submerged on the South-Western side of the reef and no longer poses a risk to navigation. It will however pose a potential snagging hazard Marker and mooring buoys have been set up to indicate the position and depths of the stern and bow sections, including two recommended locations to dive see next slide Line fishing or trolling in the vicinity of the wreck and or dive sites (marked by mooring buoys) is not recommended Be aware of the voluntary 20 metre dive zone around the mooring buoys, and the likelihood of underwater/surface divers & snorkelers Anchoring is not advised around the wreck area, and anchoring and/or fishing within the dive zone is not recommended If the reef is particularly busy consider returning later or even another day Based on extensive monitoring human health experts confirm it is safe to consume seafood caught at the Reef
Diving & Snorkelling Astrolabe Reef is a technical dive suitable only for experienced divers. Where possible, speak with a local dive club and arrange to join one of their planned trips to the reef so that you are in good company It is not intended that the stern section is dived on by anyone other than technical divers. Do not attempt to penetrate the wreck unless you have the right experience, training, equipment and dive fitness Swell greater than 1m, 15 knots wind and or 1 knot of current are considered reasonable maximum limits. Strong currents run across the reef and may not be apparent at the surface Two recommended dive sites will be marked with orange spar buoys If all moorings are occupied then vessels can either raft to other vessels in appropriate conditions, or wait until the moored vessel has moved off. Otherwise, consider returning at a later time or another day The stern section will be marked by two yellow spar buoys anchoring between these buoys is not recommended, diving from these buoys is limited to technical divers as the depth is over 30 metres
Dive Site 1 - Overview An advanced dive, but in an area subject to less surge as it sits in a sheltered bowl of the reef topography There are separated bow pieces in this area, all around -18m depth The outer bow piece has a buoy marked Dive site 1-18m to wreckage Divers can explore the bow pieces, including the bow thruster, by descending at the buoy, following the pieces along to the next piece and then return to ascend the buoy 5m safety stops have been marked on each buoy line these should be used for your ascent but not relied upon *See next slide for detailed image of the Dive Site 1
Dive Site 2 - Overview Shallowest piece of wreck structure, the main double bottom of the bow (the point at which the Rena ran aground). This major section of bow extends from about -13m up to -3m LAT. Due to its location at the peak of the Reef, it is in an area subject to surge that divers should be aware of. There is a marker buoy located at the deepest part of the wreckage labelled Dive Site 2, Depth -13m to wreckage *See next slide for detailed image of the Dive Site 2
Diving & Snorkelling - Cont d All divers and snorkelers visiting the site must: Hold at least a PADI Open Water certificate and be suitably experienced for an advanced dive site like Astrolabe Reef Dive with a buddy, plan the dive and dive to the plan Check the currents, including their strength, before entering the water Plan to be collected by the skipper following your ascent this is essential Hold on to the float line and signal your vessel to collect you due to the strong currents at the site Snorkelers should have an A Flag attached to them at all times Depths can be deceiving due to the clear water and gradual incline of wreckage Do NOT remove cargo or artefacts some may be heavy and compromise your ability to resurface safely
Marine Broadcasts, GPS Co-Ordinates & Other Useful Information Hourly marine forecasts VHF Channel 83 - Coastguard SeaComms channels 3 and 24 VHF Channel 6. Maritime distress and emergency calls VHF Channel 16 Dial 111 GPS Co-Ordinates for Astrolabe Reef 37 32.439 S 176 25.692 E Online notices to mariners for the area www.linz.govt.nz/sea/maritime-safety/notices-mariners Harbourmaster contact details 0800 884 880 or the duty officer 07 928 3385 www.taurangacoastguard.co.nz/contactus/contactharbourmaster *A dedicated website containing all of today s information, plus further detail about safe access at Astrolabe Reef will published ahead of the Exclusion Zone being lifted. The website address will be: www.astrolabereef.co.nz
State of the Reef & Wreck: What to Expect
Former Major Debris Field 2014 Buoy #1 2015 Buoy #1
Former Major Debris Field: 2014 Buoy #2 Former Major Debris Field: 2015 Buoy #2
Bay of Plenty Regional Council July 2015 Recreational Dive Video Copy and paste the following this link into your web browser to play this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37-76kvdmfy
Dive Video #1: Port Side of the Stern Copy and paste the following this link into your web browser to play this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pohbnd85oa
Dive Video #10: Western Part of Bow & Reef Copy and paste the following this link into your web browser to play this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivdpsy_i_xq
Dive Video #7: Bow Section & Southern Side Copy and paste the following this link into your web browser to play this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psyg4gyouok
Dive Video #8: Southern Reef Ridge Copy and paste the following this link into your web browser to play this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_dduuo-r9w
Next Steps
Activity Timeframe Now until January Wreck Access Plan information materials finalised for publication and distribution Draft copies of the flyer and brochure available today for review and feedback Induction and training for the onsite advisor at the Reef NZDS to complete final clean-up duties February Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster to finalise and announce a date and details regarding removal of the Exclusion Zone Rena Project to issue a detailed information advisory to all stakeholders, including launch dedicated wreck access plan website To sign-up to receive email updates please send an email to media@renaproject.co.nz And keep an eye on www.renaproject.co.nz
Questions & Answers