Fears over safety have led to the detention of a cargo vessel in Bermuda waters.

The Pascale Delmas has had a detention order put on it by the Marine and Ports department, and it could be several days before it is allowed to leave the jurisdiction.

It follows an inspection by Shipping Registry officials on Thursday after the crew indicated they did not want to continue on their journey to West Africa.

It is understood they were concerned over safety on the vessel and wanted some action taken before they progressed.

The vessel had to make for Bermuda on Wednesday after stormy weather damaged its hull. It was fully laden with general cargo out of New York when the trouble started.

Yesterday, the 158-metre, 12,000-tonne Bahamian-registered vessel remained moored at Murray's Anchorage whilst discussions continued into its immediate future.

Captain John Moore of Meyer Agencies said the ship's Greece-based owners, Enterprise Shipping and Trading, and officials from the Bahamas and Bermuda were meeting to decide what to do.

He said there was a possibility that the vessel may have to come into Hamilton to unload some of its containers.

The main problem with the ship is its ballast is not operational because of the leaking hull. And there is a split in the inner hull.

It is understood the owners will propose a plan for the vessel, and if it is acceptable, with regard to the safety of the crew, then it could be accepeted.

Meanwhile, the Russian Kemerovo has been moved further into Dockyard to await a tug to take it on to its destination.

It limped into Bermuda on Monday under tow from Marine and Ports vessels, after heavy seas damaged its hull, filling the engine room with water.

The engine cannot be repaired and the vessel is now waiting for a tug to come from Europe to take it it Liverpool where some of its cargo is due, and then onto St. Petersburg.

Another Russian vessel, the MV Tradenese is at Murray's Anchorage, whilst spare parts are flown in to repair a malfunctioning engine.

In St. George's, the passenger yacht Lady S is awaiting a tow back to the US.

It will be on the move in the next few days.