Shen Neng 1 removal plans put on hold

Sydney: Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) has deferred plans to tow the stricken Chinese coal ship Shen Neng 1 to waters near Fraser Island off south-east Queensland.
The Shen Neng 1 has been moored in central Queensland waters since being removed from Douglas Shoal on the Great Barrier Reef, east of Rockhampton, where it ran aground at Easter.
MSQ is now planning to tow the ship into waters between Hervey Bay and Fraser Island on Friday or Saturday if weather conditions allow.
Part of its cargo of coal will then be offloaded to allow the ship to be towed back to China. [05/05/10]