Another attempt to refloat Jody today

Preparations were being made today for another attempt to refloat the stranded log carrier Jody F Millennium in Gisborne.

Salvors would probably attempt to refloat the vessel at high tide early this afternoon, the Maritime Safety Authority said in a statement.

The 150m long Jody F Millennium ran aground off Waikanae Beach in heavy seas 17 days ago. It leaked oil into the sea after a tank cracked, sparking fears of an environmental disaster.

Numerous attempts to tow the ship to deep water have failed.

Salvors have continued this week to remove logs from the ship to make it higher in the water and its bow had been pointed seaward.

The removal of more logs had allowed the salvage team to get at oil tanks high up in the ship and they were considering ways to getting the oil off.

The Taranaki tug Pacific Chieftain, used to manoeuvre the vessel, had returned to New Plymouth but was replaced by the SeaTow 25 which, although smaller, had a similar pulling capacity.

The cost of the oil spill clean up stood at $1.6 million, which would be met by the ship's Japanese owner.

- NZPA