WORK to right the stricken Hoegh Osaka is set to continue today.

Salvors hope to pump off some of the 3,000 tonnes of water on board the vehicle transporter today before bad weather hits the Solent.

Pumping out the water is the important first step to righting the vessel, and she could then be towed back into Southampton within a week.

The vessel was deliberately run aground on Bramble Bank on Saturday to prevent her capsizing, and then towed to Alpha Anchorage off Lee-on-the-Solent on Wednesday after high tide and winds refloated her.

Between 2 and 3,000 tonnes of water had seeped into the ship, possibly as a result of her initial contact with Bramble Bank.

Salvors Svitzer hope to pump the water out and then bring the Hoegh Osaka fully upright by using ballast.

The vessel's list will be constantly monitored throughout the operation, which will take place during day light hours.

It is believed that this process could take between five and seven days.

At the scene, weather conditions mean divers are still waiting to carry out a further inspection of the hull.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: “The weather is favourable today so all things going well I think the salvors' proposals are to progress their plans.”

There is currently no evidence of pollution coming from the vessel.