Response efforts have continued following the vessel incident at Nikau Palm Valley Bay in Akaroa, with authorities confirming the craft has separated and salvage planning is nearing completion.

Specialist salvage contractors accessed the site by helicopter as part of a detailed assessment of the vessel and surrounding debris field.

Officials said the assessment provided key information needed to finalise the salvage plan.

It has now been confirmed the vessel has split apart. The hulls remain on the seabed, grounded on rock, while the decking and superstructure are located on the beach.

Large sections of the vessel are visible onshore and will be removed as part of the planned salvage operation.

An Environment Canterbury spokesperson said on site monitoring and debris collection were continuing twice daily.

They said very little new debris had been recovered from the water since the previous update, with no more than one fish bin of material collected.

The spokesperson said the draft salvage plan was close to completion and would be shared with partner agencies and key stakeholders once finalised.

Environmental monitoring has continued to show encouraging signs. The spokesperson said no diesel had been observed near Cathedral Cave, and only a small number of rainbow sheens measuring between 20 centimetres and 30 centimetres were seen across the site.

On water observers did not locate a previously reported potentially unwell crested penguin. The spokesperson said its status remained unknown and wildlife monitoring would continue as part of the response. No other injured or unwell wildlife had been observed.

All agencies involved remain committed to removing the wreck in its entirety from the sensitive coastal environment.

A 200 metre exclusion zone remains in place, with authorities urging all water users to respect the restrictions for the safety of responders and the public.