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The drilling rig Valaris JU-107 has been loaded onto a heavy lift vessel in Tasman Bay before its departure from New Zealand in the next few days.
Drilling rig turns heads
A drilling rig that has sparked interest in Tamsan Bay has been loaded on to a heavy lift vessel for its departure from New Zealand. The Valaris JU-107, used by Beach Energy, was towed into the bay this week after completing development drilling at the Kupe gas field off the Taranaki coast. On Tuesday and Wednesday the rig was loaded on to a heavy lift vessel. A one-mile exclusion zone was in place for the operation watched by the Nelson harbourmaster. Over the next couple of days, the rig will be welded into place aboard the heavy lift vessel before leaving New Zealand waters. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment said no drilling activity was carried out in Tasman Bay while the Valaris JU-107 was being prepared to be transported offshore.
Algae warning
Toxic algae in the Wai-iti River has exceeded 20 per cent, prompting a warning from the Tasman District Council. The council has put up signs at several locations around the Lower Waimea and Wai-iti Rivers, as well as Pigeon Valley Rd about the algae that occurs during extended periods of low river flows. The council is asking dog owners and parents of small children to be particularly vigilant about the algae which can be harmful if swallowed. The black algae forms gelatinous mats on the riverbed which can become detached and accumulate at the shoulders of the river and around debris on the banks after long periods of low flow.
