Bay of Plenty Regional Council harbourmasters are reminding boaties about the exclusion zone surrounding the grounded container ship MV Rena on Astrolabe Reef.

Overnight the ship was hit by the weather front and media reports say there has been a “significant” discharge of containers into the sea.

The harbourmaster has had an exclusion zone that stretches over an area of sea within three nautical miles of the grounded vessel, however it is now likely that exclusion zone will be extended. The National Response Team has been activated to respond to the potential release of oil from the ship and to treat any affected wildlife.

While there is little chance of small boats putting to sea in the current weather conditions, the council says people are advised to check the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website - www.boprc.govt.nz - or with the local coastguard on radio channels VHF 16 or 83, to find out the latest information while the Rena response continues.