Rena salvors brace for 'weather bomb'

File photo / Graeme Brown

Preparations are being made in case the severe weather forecast for the weekend stirs things up around the Rena wreck.

Winds gusting up to 50 knots and swells of over 5m are forecast for tomorrow.

Salvage company Svitzer has brought the barge Smit Borneo and other support vessels into port as a precaution.

The tug Go Canopus will remain at the wreck over the weekend to monitor the Rena for any significant movement or changes in position on the reef.

Salvors have also removed some equipment and scaffolding from the bow of the Rena to ensure it is not damaged or washed overboard in the heavy seas.

Salvage operations will resume when the conditions improve.

Environment clean-up company Braemar Howells has put contingency plans in place.

Operations manager Claudene Sharp says the storm could agitate containers on the seabed and release more debris, which could wash ashore.

She's appealing to the public to be vigilant and phone the 0800 333 771 line to report any sightings.