ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION<br/> A stricken container ship wedged on a reef off a popular New Zealand holiday spot has broken up but is still on the reef after running aground three months ago, maritime authorities said on Sunday (January 8).<br/> The 47,230-tonne Liberian-flagged Rena has been stranded on a reef 22 km (12 miles) miles off Tauranga on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island since running aground on Oct. 5.<br/> Maritime New Zealand spokesman Ross Henderson said in a statement that ship had separated into two pieces, now 20-30 metres apart.<br/> Henderson said the 236-metre ship was pounded by wild weather overnight, with weather conditions expected to remain poor for the next three to four days.<br/> The maritime authorities said there has been a significant discharge of containers and container debris from the ship, which may lead to an extension of the current exclusion zone.<br/> Rena's captain and navigation officer, both Philippine nationals, have been charged with operating a vessel in a dangerous manner, and releasing toxic substances, which carry maximum fines of 300,000 New Zealand dollars or two years in prison.<br/> They are due to reappear in court next month.<br/> The vessel is owned by Daina Shipping, a unit of Greece's Costamare Inc. <CMRE.N> and was under charter to Mediterranean Shipping.
