A salvage operation to save a tugboat carrying 200 tons of diesel off the Devon coast is "going well".
Eight people had to be rescued from Christos 22, which is at risk of sinking off the Devon coast after a collision with a vessel it was towing.
The boat, which was travelling from Germany to Turkey, and was damaged as it tried to anchor a mile off Hope's Nose in Torbay.
And while fears remain that the vessel could cause a major diesel spill if it sank, a Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said salvage workers were optimistic.
"The pumping out of water continues to go well," she said.
"The situation is more stable and it was confirmed at first light that there is no report of pollution. Salvors are onboard the tug Christos XXII, pumping operations continue to go well. Divers now deployed to inspect and repair."
The crash happened near Hope's Nose After the crash, the master in chief of the tug and the engineer boarded two Royal Navy ships, which are conducting the salvage operation to stop the boat from sinking.
The watch manager at Brixham Coastguard praised the efforts of HMS Severn and HMS Lancaster, saying their quick response is likely to save the boat.
But a Brixham Coastguard spokesman said: "The problem is this is happening quite close to shore and if this boat sinks there could be a big pollution problem.
"There is a lot of diesel on the boat, and there's a good chance the diesel would leak if it sinks.
"It would contaminate the local beaches - all this part of the coast is a holiday coastline. It is also a fishing area and would impact on the local birds and wildlife."
He added that if the boat cannot be saved the Royal Navy ships will instead begin the "difficult" task of pumping diesel out of the water.
The operation is ongoing with the support of two tugs, one from Brixham and one from Portland, which are pumping water off the stricken boat.
Christos 22 had pulled into the coastline in order to check a problem with the tow at around 7pm last night when it was hit and began taking on water rapidly.
The MV Emsstrom, the decommissioned vessel being towed by the tug became separated but has now been secured.
Torbay Life Boat and Exmouth Life Boat were the first to respond to a May Day call, rescuing six of the eight crew who were unhurt.
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