Salvors monitoring the Rena say they are prepared for anything, including if it sinks.
Swells of up to 7m are expected this weekend after swells of more than 4m last week, widened a crack in the ship's hull.
Svitzer Salvage says there are contingency plans in place for any situation.
Spokesperson Brian Dale told Summer Report that crews will try to stablise the ship if it breaks up and then floats, but they are also prepared if it sinks.
He said that if the Rena does sink, it then becomes a cleanup operation.
[image:4260:half:right]Mr Dale said crews would continuing to work on Friday to remove more containers. The worst weather is expected on Sunday.
A crane barge being used in the container removal operation, will return to the Port of Tauranga on Saturday.
The support ship Go Canopus will stay at sea to monitor the Rena's condition.
The ship ran aground on the Astrolabe Reef 22km off the coast of Tauranga on 5 October.
[h[ Container numbers
Another 17 containers have been lifted off the Rena, taking the total removed to 389.
There are still 881 containers aboard the wreck.
