The crane barge Smit Borneo is making its way back out to Astrolabe Reef after being docked at the Port of Tauranga.

It was due to head back out to the Rena on Friday, but weather conditions stopped this from happening.

Svitzer salvors on board Smit Borneo.

Smit Borneo leaving port.

Maritime New Zealand says weather conditions are improving and high swells expected to lessen this afternoon.

Svitzer is planning on positioning the barge at Astrolabe Reef over the weekend.

MNZ says a salvage dive team is on standby to go down and assess the condition of the submerged stern; however, this is weather dependant.

'The current sea state, combined with the dangerous state of the wreck, is preventing dive operations at this stage.

'The dive inspection will confirm the state of the stern, and identify any underwater obstructions, which will guide the next steps in the salvage operation,” says MNZ.