Update: The salvage crew has deserted the Modern Express for the evening after an try to ascertain a tow line was unsuccessful, Maritime Prefect Atlantic mentioned in an replace late Friday.

After reaching the bow of the automotive service, the salvors had been in a position to connect a messenger line from a tug to the Modern Express, however the line parted because of the motion of the vessels. During the operation, one member of the salvage crew suffered minor accidents. The crew left the ship earlier than dusk. 

In Pictures: The Amazing Race to Save the Modern Express

Earlier: A four-man crew from SMIT Salvage was in a position to board the closely itemizing Modern Express automotive service within the Bay of Biscay in an try to connect a tow line to the drifting vessel.

The newest replace from France’s Maritime Prefect Atlantic mentioned the vessel was positioned 150 nautical miles west of La Rochelle on Friday and drifting east at 1 knot. 

Weather had beforehand prevented the salvage crew from boarding the vessel, with waves of 4 to five meters.

The Panamanian-flagged Modern Express was transporting 3,600 ton of wooden and building tools from Gabon, Africa to the port of Le Havre when it listed closely in tough seas. All 22 crew members had been evacuated safely by Spanish search and rescue helicopters. 

On scene are two tugs contracted by the ship proprietor, Cido Shipping, the French emergency tug Abeille Bourbon and the French Navy frigate Primauguet. The AHTS Argonaute arrived with tools on Friday. 

The towing operation has been accredited by French officers and will begin as quickly as late Friday afternoon, officers mentioned. 

Full Coverage: Modern Express Adrift in Bay of Biscay

#ModernExpress Vidéo de la tentative de passage de remorque. pic.twitter.com/AlqoInQZoc

— Premar Atlantique (@premaratlant) January 29, 2016