SALVAGE experts were today battling to save a stricken 30-year-old cargo ship floating off the Isle of Wight following an overnight rescue operation.

Two tugs spent the night pumping water from the engine room of the 4,650-tonne Sonia after an inlet pipe carrying sea water sheared off and left a gaping hole in the vessel's hull just a few miles into her journey from Southampton.

Coastguards said the overnight operation had succeeded in stabilising the ship, registered in the Caribbean port of St Vincent and Grenadine, but repairs would have to be carried out to ensure the safety of her 15-strong crew.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Mark Clark said they no longer feared she would have to be beached off Sandown Bay.

He said they were confident that the ship, carrying 5,000 tonnes of grain and 447 tonnes of fuel, would be towed the two miles into port.

"We have managed to get the ship stable by pumping water out of her engine room but we still need to get to the root of the problem and carry out repairs.

"The crew have remained on board and are not in any immediate danger.

"Other pumps will be craned aboard this morning, which will more than match the 25 to 30 tonnes of water entering the engine room every hour.

"Experts are on board and have spent the night carrying out an assessment of what needs to be done." He said an aircraft flew over the scene this morning and did not spot any signs of pollution. Water flooded into the vessel about 4.15pm yesterday shortly after she left Southampton bound for Greece.

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