Container salvage operations on the Rena are back on track after being disrupted since the the stranded ship broke apart in rough weather 11 days ago.

The crane barge Smit Borneo is alongside the ship at Astrolabe Reef in the Bay of Plenty and 10 containers were removed from the bow yesterday.

Maritime New Zealand says another transfer of milk powder from the ship by helicopter will take place today after a number of bags of milk powder were flown off earlier in the week.

The rest of the day will be spent removing containers from the Rena's bow, Maritime NZ said.

There has been no change to the status of the wreck overnight, with good weather and relatively calm seas, the authority said.

Some plywood sheeting from the ship has landed on Waihi beach and teams have been dispatched to remove this, MNZ said.

Divers continue to assess the state of the vessel but dive conditions remain difficult and subject to change as sea conditions alter, it said.

Meanwhile, some oil, mostly light sheens, have been observed around the Rena, MNZ said.

Old and fresh oil has also been spotted on Rabbit Island and a clean-up team has been dispatched, it said.
Clean-up of oil is continuing at Mount Maunganui, Matakana Island and Leisure Island and at Waihi.
A boom in Maketu Estuary is to be removed, while the boom at the entrance to the estuary will remain in place.

There are 28 oiled birds at Massey, 25 of them little blue penguins.Birds are taken back progressively for release as oiled birds are taken to Massey for treatment.

Source: tvnz.co.nz