Maersk-Rio-Blanco

Fire crew were prevented from boarding the 'Rio Blanco' at PrimePort in Timaru on Dec 5, 2020, because of a suspected Covid-19 case on the vessel. The port was evacuated just after 1.30 p.m. as emergency services initially investigated a 30 tonne container aboard the 'Rio Blanco' which was reported to be potentially leaking carbon monoxide. Fire crews were getting ready to board the ship with personal protective equipment (PPE) when they got word from the ship's first officer that the suspected leak was a minor liquid nitrogen leak from a pressure valve. Crews were aware there was a possible Covid-19 case aboard the ship after communications with New Zealand Customs and port staff.

The "Rio Blanco" needed to change the piston on the engine on March 3 2018, at 11.30 p.m. The vessel, which had sailee from Antwerp to Tilbury at 2 p.m. had a crew of 24 on board and is dropped anchor in position 51 53.3872 N, 01 39.4038 E. The started at 3 p.m. at the Sunk DW anchorage, and after about 15 hours the ship heaved anchor again and resumed the voyage, ETA MArch 5, 3 p.m.