14 Aug 2008

Salvage team to assess grounded vessel

11:40 am on 14 August 2008

A salvage team may be able to assess a fishing boat grounded on a rocky stretch of coastline near Opotiki on Thursday.

All the fuel has been taken off the San Cuvier and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council says it's satisfied there's been no contamination.

Harbour master Brian Spake says the salvage company and insurers are keen to have a look at the situation and work out how best to move the stricken vessel.

Mr Spake says the salvage team hopes to fly over the scene on Thursday, because current weather conditions are forecast to worsen on Friday.

The ship's future is yet to be decided, but its owners, Sanford, have been advised to remove it from where it's stranded.

About 18,000 litres of liquids have been removed to date from the San Cuvier, including 11,000 litres of diesel fuel. It ran aground during a storm on Sunday, 27 July.