A crippled cargo vessel will be in Bermuda for at least three weeks whilst a massive hole is repaired in its hull.

The 893-foot Green Island has a opening measuring 30 feet by 90 feet in its side, caused by heavy seas in its journey from Singapore to the US East Coast.

Fortunately the hole is in a position where the sea water only leaked into the ballast tanks.

It arrived in Bermuda last week and it will be at least three weeks before the damage is made good.

At present the 33,953 tonne vessel is moored at Dockyard and yesterday tugs moved it around so repair work could begin on the hull.

Since Friday, crew have been unloading 30 by 60-foot containers from the ship and storing them at Dockyard. Some 14 are already at St. George's and another 20 are floating in the West End.

The buoyant containers -- accommodating the rubber freight -- have been taken off so the ship's level can be raised for work to begin.

Engineers have been flown in from the US to assist with the task, which is being conducted in conjunction with Meyer Industries.