Efforts were continuing this evening to refloat a 7,000-tonne cargo ship which ran aground on the south Connemara coast in gale force winds early today.
The 120m Pantanal, with 16 crew on board, broke its anchor mooring in shallow waters just off Rossaveal, Co Galway at about 6am.
Minutes later, it ran up on rock and a sandbank close to the entrance to Rossaveal fishery harbour.
It had steamed into the narrow channel yesterday evening, and was due to pick up two Aran Island fast ferries which have been sold to Mauritius.
The Irish Coast Guard's Costelloe Bay Unit was alerted, along with the Garda at Carraroe, and rescue agencies including the RNLI Aran island lifeboat were put on standby.
There were no injuries reported among the crew on board, who remained with the vessel throughout the day as it was inspected for damage and possible pollution risk.
German shipping firm, Harren and Partner of Bremen, which operates the Pantanal, said that a tug from Foynes, Co Limerick was en route and would attempt to pull the ship clear at high tide tomorrow morning.
"The vessel and her crew are safe," the company said in a statement this evening.
"There is no risk of any pollution and the vessel's underwriters, together with our emergency response team, are working on refloating plans, together with tug assistance.
"There is no visible nor obvious damage from the vessel and we are optimistic that this unfortunate grounding can be resolved soonest," the company said.