6 Sep 2005

Australian passenger ship resumes cruise after running aground near New Caledonia

10:23 am on 6 September 2005

An Australian cruise liner which ran onto a reef in New Caledonia at the weekend, was pulled free by two tugs yesterday and escorted to an anchorage

Divers who inspected the ship say it suffered no damage apart from a block of coral wedged in a propeller shaft.

Subject to approval by the maritime authorities, the ship -- which was

carrying 1100 passengers and 600 crew -- was expected to continue its cruise towards Vanuatu last night.

Experts remain on board to monitor the vessel.