Frank Leckey, salvage master for Resolve Wreckage and Fire, stands amongst the hundreds on tons of steel removed from the ship, Rena. Photo / APN
More than 100 tonnes of Rena's rusted remains have been brought ashore as salvagers prepare for Christmas away from their families.
Salvagers working on removing the bow section of the stricken cargo ship have about 30 per cent of the body left before they complete the current phase of the
recovery operation, Resolve Marine Group Salvage Master Frank Leckey said.
The metal that has been brought ashore aboard a large barge will be taken away and used as scrap metal.
"We've taken off hundreds of tonnes off the starboard side, which would help eliminate some of the rolling," Mr Leckey said.
Heavy swells at the Astrolabe Reef have limited the salvage operation to an average of three days on, and four days off a week.
