Bay of Plenty Regional Council is working to remove the wrecked pilothouse cutter Checkmate from Motuhoura, or Whale Island, where it grounded on Friday.

The Regional Council moved to declare the boat a wreck earlier this week, and salvage of the 47 foot ferro-cement vessel at the island near Whakatane is likely to cost about $50,000.

The wrecked pilothouse cutter Checkmate at Whale Island.

Regional Harbourmaster Peter Buell says was due to start today to make the most of the good weather.

'The weather has been very cooperative to date, however that window is closing by the end of the week so it's important to get this work complete,” he said.

Council plans to pump and float the boat so the port side of the vessel where it lay on the beach can be examined. More than 450 litres of diesel was pumped from the boat on Saturday after it ran aground.

The boat's skipper said the boat's engine blew up when salt water got into it.

'From there we hope to be able to tow it to Tauranga as the vessel is unlikely to be able to cross the bar unaided.”

Peter expects work should be complete in four or five days. The Eastern Bay harbourmaster is working closely with the salvage contractor, Coastguard, Whakatane District Council and Ngati Awa on progress.

Ngati Awa Chief Executive Enid Ratahi-Pryor says she is pleased with the timely progression of the operation and the co-operative relationship between stakeholders, including Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Department of Conservation.