Stuff.co.nz, 13/10/2011
One of the containers trapped on the Rena holds all the possessions of a Christchurch family who moved to Australia to escape the earthquakes.
Laura Stubbing and her family moved to Brisbane on Tuesday, only to learn that the 20-foot shipping container holding their furniture and personal items is on board the wrecked ship.
"We initially saw it on the news, but it did not occur to us whatsoever that it had our belongings on board," she says.
They later received an email from the Mediterranean Shipping Company, but they have no way of knowing if their possessions are damaged.
The items include all their furniture and appliances, clothing, cameras, scrapbooks, baby items, and family heirlooms from relatives who have passed away.
Beyond that, she said, "We've got the stuff that we brought on the plane."
They have some insurance for the shipment, but it's not nearly enough to cover the disaster.
"We insured against maybe a glass shelf falling over in the container, not for it falling off the deck of a ship.
"It's our own fault for not insuring higher, I realise that. But even the insurance won't replace my photos and my special keepsakes and memories."
Ms Stubbing said the whole incident was very upsetting.
"It's not like it was caused by weather or an act of God."
She and her family were waiting to find out if they could salvage any of their belongings from the wreck.
"We want answers," she said.