Strong winds, swells to delay salvage efforts

The Bay of Plenty is expecting a continuation of strong winds and heavy swells which will further hamper salvage efforts on the Rena.

Metservice forecaster Richard Finnie said the region can expect gale winds and three-metre swells in the next few days.

"We're looking at strengthening north-easterly winds ... with some fairly good-sized swells."

The swell was expected to peak overnight and then slowly ease.

Gale-force winds are expected with 65 km/h winds today changing to 40 km/h north-westerlies in the evening.

Bruce Anderson, salvage unit manager for Maritime New Zealand, has said that no salvage or ship crew will return to the Rena until the weather can accommodate continued salvage efforts.

The weather has been pushing the oil spilled from the ship's hull on to the region's shores.

Today's north-easterlies will continue to do so.

Nick Quinn, national on-scene commander for Maritime New Zealand, said the next 12-24 hours will see a considerable increase in oil washing up on the coastline of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa.