What's the likelihood of them refloating the Pasha Bulker? For those not familiar with Newcastle, the beach it is on is pretty much the 'main beach' of Newcastle, or close enough to it.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Bulk-carrier-still-stranded-at-Newcastle/2007/06/14/1181414451520.html

Authorities have begun a hydrographic survey of the ocean floor around a bulk carrier stranded on a Newcastle beach as they prepare to try to salvage the vessel.

The 40,000 tonne Pasha Bulker has been stranded at Nobby's Beach since it ran aground on Friday in gale force winds and high seas.

Newcastle Port Corporation chief executive Gary Webb said it was likely the refloating of the Pasha Bulker would not occur until the next wave of higher tides later this month.

A 22-man salvage team has spent a sixth day on board, working to stabilise the 225-metre vessel, which is wedged on a sandbank.

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Pasha Bulker refloat attempt postponed

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Pasha-Bulker-refloat-attempt-postponed/2007/06/26/1182623881352.html

An attempt to refloat the stranded bulk carrier Pasha Bulker, which is stuck off a beach near Newcastle, has been postponed until Thursday evening.

"We make no apologies for the precautions being taken by this decision."

Mr Tripodi earlier said freeing the Pasha Bulker was likely to take more than one attempt.

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Pasha Bulker fails first refloat attempt

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Pasha-Bulker-fails-first-refloat-attempt/2007/06/28/1182624076575.html

The first attempt to haul the stranded bulk carrier Pasha Bulker off Nobbys Beach in Newcastle has failed to refloat the vessel.

NSW Ports Minister Joe Tripodi conceded at 9pm (AEST) there was no chance the ship could be moved out to sea before Friday night's next attempt, on the 7.31pm high tide.

But the salvage attempt was on track, he said.

"So far so good," Mr Tripodi told reporters at Nobbys Beach.

"We are very happy with the progress today.

"I have been advised the ship has been moved about six to eight degrees in spite of the fact we have had the parting of one line."

The attempt to refloat the ship, which began earlier today when its ballast was emptied, was being undertaken in high winds and heavy rain.

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Oil leaking from stranded Pasha Bulker

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Oil-leaking-from-stranded-Pasha-Bulker/2007/07/01/1183228943097.html

Aerial surveillance of the ocean around the stranded Pasha Bulker has detected oil leaking from the ship, NSW Ports Minister Joe Tripodi says.

The thin slick is travelling in a line some 75 metres north-east, away from nearby Nobbys Beach.

"I have been advised that a sheen of oil a micron thick, which is 0.001 of a millimetre, was observed on the surface of the water at the stern of the ship," Mr Tripodi told reporters in Newcastle on Sunday.

"However, it is dissipating."

Mr Tripodi said the authorities were taking the matter seriously and an oil spill response boat, the Shirley Smith, was en route to clean up and investigate.

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