A new memorial to commemorate the sinking of the Wahine will be unveiled in Wellington tomorrow, on the 42nd anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed 53 lives.

The mast from the ferry has been erected at Korohiwa Bay in Eastbourne, honouring those who died.

Survivor Kay McCormick went out when the mast was first installed in its new spot earlier this year. She says to have seen the mast sink during the tragedy on April 10, 1968 and then see it rise to become a memorial is simply extraordinary.

The Wahine struck at Barrett Reef in Wellington Harbour during two huge storms that collided and hammered Wellington. The order to evacuate the ship was given when it began listing heavily in gale force winds and five metre swells.