Salvors have resumed lifting containers from grounded ship Rena following delays yesterday due to high winds.
As of 2pm today the team had removed a total of 36 containers stacked on board the battered ship, which is on a 22-degree lean.
The cargo ship hit the Astrolabe Reef off the coast of Tauranga on October 5, with some 1280 containers on board.
The team successfully pumped the heavy fuel oil from its tanks and with skimming work on the remaining dredges of oil in the number 5 starboard tank continuing, stacked containers on board began to be removed on Wednesday.
Salvors have been using a crane to load the colourful rectangular containers on to the tug Go Canopus.
The container removal job was reportedly exhausting for Svitzer's 35 salvors, and some of the containers housed rotting food emitting a foul smell.
Maritime New Zealand said weather conditions were clear today around the vessel - a welcome change from yesterday's weather which saw removal efforts disrupted by high winds exceeding 24 knots.
Salvors yesterday removed eight containers from the vessel, double the original estimates of a three to four containers per day.
Boaties and local businesses can now peer in for a closer look at stricken ship Rena as the exclusion zone around the vessel was reduced to three nautical miles from midnight last night.
Boats can now get as close as 5.5km from the tilting ship.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council harbourmaster amended the exclusion zone with support from authorities.
Meanwhile, targeted clean-up operations around the region continued today, with surf washing at Papamoa Beach, and other operations underway at the Mount and Leisure Island.
Maritime New Zealand had received several reports of oil on Tauranga beaches and reminded beach users not to touch the oil.
All oil sightings should be reported to 0800 OIL SPILL and clean-up crews will respond.
Anyone wanting to get involved with the clean-up should visit the volunteers hub at the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website www.boprc.govt.nz
Access restrictions put in place after oil washed ashore remained in place at Maketu Spit and on parts of Papamoa beach.
