Due to calm weather on Jan 21 ivers were able to gain access inside the sunken rear section of the "Rena" for the first time today.

They have managed to get into one of the hold areas. The conditions were very dangerous as the water was very murky with a lot of debris floating around. The divers will try to access other holds in the near future to get a clearer picture of what is going on in those areas. Fine weather and calm seas have assisted onboard crews, who managed to remove a further six containers.

 On Jan 20 they removed 19 containers from Rena's bow.

 The emptying of a second container of milk powder was also continuing and bags of milk powder were to be removed from the wreck by helicopter.

Meanwhile, water and shoreline debris removal is continuing at Bowentown Heads and ships have been sent to the East Cape for debris disposal. More oil has leaked from the wrecked container ship since it split in two but only small amounts were reaching the shoreline.