The stern section of the stricken container vessel Rena that has been stranded on a rock reef for six months after it ran aground off the coast of New Zealand finally submerged and is now visible beneath the water on Astrolabe Reef.
The 47,230-ton Liberian-flagged ship has been stuck on the reef, about 14 nautical miles (22 km) from Tauranga, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, since it ran aground Oct. 5 last year, according to Reuters.
Authorities claim it to be one of the nation's worst environmental disasters as the ship broke into two parts, increasing ecological hazards. While the bow section still remains above water, the ship's stern shifted and sank as a result of nearly 40-foot-high waves and 31 mph winds.
Nearly eleven containers containing tons of oil, fuel, timber, wool, plastic, bangs of milk powder washed up on the shore and debris still floats around the remains of the stricken container ship.
The Bay of Plenty and Coromandel communities are advised that the sinking of the stern section will likely to result in the loss of more debris and small amounts of oil into the sea, which may then come ashore, Maritime New Zealand said.
Check out the handout photographs in the slideshow.
Debris floats around the remains of the stricken container ship Rena as it submerges, about 14 nautical miles (22 km) from Tauranga, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island January 10, 2012. ReutersHandout picture of stricken container ship Rena remaining above water on east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersHandout picture of stricken container ship Rena remaining above water on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersVessels involved in container recovery manoeuvre near remains of container ship Rena on Astrolabe Reef.ReutersDebris floats around the remains of the stricken container ship Rena as it submerges on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersDebris floats around the bridge of the stricken container ship Rena as it submerges on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersA tug (top) moves near the remains of the container ship Rena on Astrolabe Reef, about 14 nautical miles (22 km) from Tauranga, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island January 14, 2012. ReutersStern section of the stricken container ship Rena is almost totally submerged on the east coast of New Zealand's North IslandReutersDebris floats around the bridge of the stricken container ship Rena as it submerges on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersThe stricken container ship Rena sits on a reef after it separated into two on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersDebris floats around the bridge of the stricken container ship Rena as it submerges on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersHandout 3D computer image showing the current position of the stricken container ship Rena on the Astrolabe Reef, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersThe bow section of the stricken container ship Rena remains above water after the stern broke off and sank on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersDebris floats around the remains of the stricken container ship Rena, submerged on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersDebris floats around the remains of the stricken container ship Rena as it submerges on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersDebris floats around the bridge of the stricken container ship Rena as it is submerged on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.ReutersThe bridge of the container ship Rena is visible beneath the water on Astrolabe Reef on the east coast of New Zealand's North IslandReutersHandout picture of the bow section of the stricken container ship Rena, that remains above water on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.Reuters
