The first container has been lifted off the stricken container ship Rena this afternoon.
The Sea Tow 60 arrived at the Astrolabe Reef where the ship is grounded on Monday afternoon, positioned at the stern of the vessel to begin removing containers.
Three containers were successfully separated by salvors today, ready for transferral to the Sea Tow 60.
Officials say moving the containers will be a slow process; there are around 1300 of them on board and the crane can only move up to six containers a day. There is also risk some may fall off during the process.
A much larger crane barge is on its way from Singapore and is due to arrive early next month.
3 News