The Jody F. Millennium has finally been refloated but will remain in Poverty Bay until divers can assess any damage done to the log carrier in a salvage operation that has cost more than $2 million.
The 150m vessel struck a sandbar off Waikanae Beach in heavy seas 18 days ago, sparking fears of an environmental disaster when a cracked tank leaked oil.
United Salvage director Ian Hoskison said the ship was towed off the sandbank at high tide about 4 pm today, to the delight of "a few thousand" spectators.
On Saturday, the tugs Sea Tow 25 and Keera managed to drag the Jody about 75m, while a third, Sea Tow 22, pushed.
Mr Hoskison said the final push was relatively trouble-free, with only one broken tow line.
The Keera retrieved the line and moved round to push the ship's stern instead of reconnecting.
The vessel was tonight being held in the bay by two of the tugs as divers made a brief survey of the damage.
The Maritime Safety Authority says the ship has been declared a hazard and cannot leave Poverty Bay until divers have fully assessed the damage.
Authority spokeswoman Helen Mojel said a spotter plane was sent to look for any further fuel leakage but the observers saw nothing.
nzherald.co.nz/marine
Final push breaks Jody free
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