PREPARATIONS ARE being made for a renewed attempt to free a cargo vessel stranded at the mouth of Montrose harbour.

The Emsland, loaded with 2000 tonnes of timber bound for Holland, grounded on the Annat sandbank as she left the harbour on Friday.

Several attempts were made to free the 270ft ship, one of which led to the Montrose lifeboat Moonbeam being damaged in an effort to get towlines on board, before the conclusion was reached that the ship would have to be lightened for an attempt to have any chance of success.

A specialist vessel removed the majority of the fuel from the Emsland on Tuesday night and yesterday.

Only a few litres of fuel to run the engines remain on board.

Depending on the conditions, around 500 to 800 tonnes of the ship’s cargo will be removed today on to a barge from Burntisland in Fife.

Then, with the ship significantly lighter, it is hoped that a powerful anchor handling tug from Aberdeen, the Esvagt Connector, will pull the ship free tomorrow at 3pm, when there will be a big tide.

If this attempt fails, then another effort will be made on Saturday at 4pm when there is another big tide.

The Emsland’s crew of six have remained on board throughout the drama.

Last night Montrose harbour master John West said, “She won’t be free until the high tide on Friday, which is 3pm.

“Hopefully this tide will be big enough to help lift her.

“All of the fuel is off her except for a few litres—enough to run the engine.

“Today we went out with the tug to assess the situation and see how close we can get to the ship.

“The men on the ship have got plenty of food and water.

“They have heat and light, but they have been there since Friday so are pretty hacked off.”