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Stricken Solent ship towed back to shore

Nineteen days after it was deliberately grounded on a sandbank in the Solent, the stranded car carrier Hoegh Osaka has been towed back to shore.

The Hoegh Osaka was deliberately run aground on a sandbank between Southampton and the Isle of Wight on January 3rd when crew realised it was in trouble.

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Preparations for re-floating ship 'when weather allows'

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said preparations to re-float the Hoegh Osaka cargo ship would resume "when the weather allows".

A spokesman said initial plans to re-float the vessel tomorrow had had to be abandoned as more water has entered the ship than previously thought.

Following the completion of the salvors' calculations this evening, it has been decided that there will not be an attempt to re-float the Hoegh Osaka tomorrow. The salvors' calculations revealed that more water has entered the vessel than previously thought.

The preparation for the re-float will therefore take longer than the weather window will allow tomorrow. The alternative option of securing the Hoegh Osaka will be followed and preparations for the re-float will continue when the weather allows

– MCA spokesman

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