SALVAGE crews continue to remove containers from the stricken 3,360-TEU Rena, which is broken in two, but the pieces hold together and ship remains in a stable condition, reports Television New Zealand.
Still grounded on Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga, off New Zealand's North Island, the Rena has been there since it ran aground at full speed on October 5.
New Zealand's coast guard, Maritime New Zealand, said weather prevents divers from inspecting the lower hull, and 15-foot swells were widening the gap between the two pieces of the ship.
Eight containers were removed in one day from the after section of the vessel, leaving 900 containers either still on board or lost, and another 357 successfully landed.
The Liberian-flagged Rena, owned by Costamare Shipping and chartered by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has leaked and estimated 350 tonnes of oil and numerous containers were lost overboard, said authorities.