Divers check Rena containers

The Rena. Photo / Graeme Brown

Divers have checked the wreck of the Rena to see how containers can be salvaged from under the water, says Maritime New Zealand.

Improving weather yesterday allowed the divers to check the ship for the first time after it split in two.

National on-scene commander Rob Service said divers would survey the sunken rear section as the swell eased over the next day or so.

The crane barge Smit Borneo was in place and would be used to recover containers, he said.

Boaties were warned to stay away as debris continued to be sighted over the weekend.