Bid To Re-float MISC Ship Fails

A second bid failed on Thursday to refloat a Malaysian ship carrying dangerous chemicals stranded on Australia's Great Barrier Reef but authorities said they would launch a new all-out effort on the weekend, Reuters reported. Queensland state Transport Minister Steve Bredhauer said three ocean-going tugs were unable to pull the 184-metre (600-ft) Bunga Teratai Satu off Sudbury Reef, despite early indications of improved buoyancy at high tide. "It is expected the next refloat operation will take place on the weekend, possibly early on Sunday morning when the tides will be more favorable," he said. An initial bid to move the stranded ship failed on Wednesday. Bredhauer said fuel had been moved towards the stern of the ship and ballast discharged to lighten its overall load in preparation for the next attempt. "Other options such as cargo removal will be considered," he said. The Bunga Teratai Satu was carrying about 130 tons of dangerous cargo when it hit Sudbury Reef, 50 km (30 miles) east of Cairns in Australia's tropical north, last Thursday. State authorities have said the ship was carrying 132 tons of fungicides and pesticides, glycerol, perfumery products, and polystyrene beads among its 15,500 tons of cargo.