The vessel is stilling listing dangerously after being blown on to Blackpool beach by a huge wave seven days ago.

Yesterday salvage workers were battling to prevent water from getting into the vessel from the hull.

See our updated gallery of the stricken ferry

Some sea water had "encroached" on to the main deck after the hull was breached.

But fears oil could leak out on to the beach were lessened after it emerged that marine diesel oil tanks on onboard remained intact.

Plans are now being put together to try to refloat the ferry, but coastguard chiefs do not expect that to happen for some time yet.

A spokesman said: "As the weekend and next week comes on, hopefully we will see a change in the way the vessel lies, but it is an initial plan to ensure the integrity of the vessel is not breached to allow more water to get into it."

The ship's insurers are now paying a private security firm to police the exclusion zone set up to prevent looting and to stop passers-by from getting too close to the vessel.

However, it was reported no further cargo fell off the deck on to the sands yesterday.

Scrap aluminium, timber and peat – together with boxes of crisps and chocolate biscuits – have so far washed up on shore.

Riverdance archives
Blackpool ferry: Oil spill fears
Sightseers risk lives walking under toppling ferry
Riverdance passenger: "I'm going to die"
Firms count cost of lost cargo
The Fylde coast - A graveyard for ships
Desperate bid to stabilise stricken ferry
Riverdance video: RNLI lifeboat
It could be here for days
Dramatic airlift from stricken ferry
'They risked their lives for others' safety'
Seagulls celebrate as tasty cargo washed up
Trucks slip off stricken ferry
Business booming as crowds flock in to see ferry