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Five Oceans Salvage is carrying out preparatory works to shift away from the rocks and re-float the bulker MV Benita which ran heavily aground off Mahebourg, Mauritius, on June 17.

Inclement weather conditions hampered the salvage operation over the last few days, the Athens-based salvor said in a statement.

Should the weather conditions allow and the operation continues as expected, it is hoped that an attempt to re-float the vessel can be made in the next few days.

The vessel remains aground and in a stable condition with no significant changes.

Environmental protection operations are also moving along with over 200 cubic metres of contaminated fuel oil and lubrication removed ashore.

Skimming of any oily water residue continues as a precaution. Work to sanitize and seal the vessel is almost complete, with over 5km of welding having taken place, such as the sealing and pressurising of the cargo tanks and void spaces.

Tugs remain on site and are connected to MV Benita in order to prevent the vessel from running further aground during bad weather and to assist with the re-floating operation.

MV Benita ran aground following a fight between two of the seafarers onboard. One of the sailors was seriously injured, while the other hid in the engine room, where he reportedly cut all the vessel systems leaving MV Benita adrift.