Government ferry Bermudian, which broke free from its moorings and ran aground during Hurricane Igor, could be refloated in the next couple of days.

A spokesperson said Marine and Ports has carried out an inspection and survey of the internal sections of the ferry which has revealed that the bottom plating is not breached and remains intact. However, the right rudder is broken off at the connection and there is some damage to the right propeller.

The spokesperson added: “Our engineers have transferred all of the fuel and water from the vessel to lighten it and are in the process of removing the port [left] rudder and propeller to avoid potential damage when the vessel is refloated.

“We are also removing debris and bottom material around the vessel and making the necessary preparations to refloat the vessel.”

The Bermudian, which is used to tender passengers on the Veendam to the Town of St. George, broke free from its moorings and ran aground on Sunday evening. It is not known if another ferry will be used as a tender.

Meanwhile, about 2,400 Belco customers are still without power, the company said today — down from 2,800 earlier this morning.

In the central area 1,100 people are without power, 800 in the east and 500 in the west.

A Belco spokesperson said: “As work continues, we wish to advise customers that they may see advance work crews coming through to do preparation work, like digging holes for new utility poles. They will be followed later by crews to put up the new poles and connect the lines. We must caution that jobs involving pole replacement do require a lot of work, so these restorations will take time.

“We also wish to advise customers who have partial current that in order to safeguard appliances, they should either unplug them or turn off power completely. And, we want to emphasise safety. Downed lines should be considered live — piles of debris may conceal downed lines. Please use generators safely because, if inappropriately operated, they can pose hazards to our crews working on the lines.”

Crews will be working in the following locations, giving priority to customers who have been without power since Saturday:

Admiralty - Boss’ Cove, Middle Park Lane, Mount Hill, Bluff Lane, Spanish Point Road

Parsons Lane - Devon Heights, Ramgoat Hill, Clarkes Lane

Flatts - Railway Trail Devonshire, Knapton Hill,

Somerset - Broome Street

Harrington Sound - Tribe Road Devonshire, Cherry Dale, Church Dale/Talbot Lane

Ess Hill - Tribe Road Warwick, Cherry Hill Park, Cobbs Hill

Fractious Street - Ducks Puddle, Cottage Hill

Belmont - Windy Ridge, Bulkhead Drive

Naval Annex - Patience Ave, Spring Benny

Mullet Bay - Wellington Back Road

St. Johns - Cedar Ave, Lone Palm Drive

Camp Hill - Railway Trail, Southampton, Pearmans Hill, Wellbottom

Prospect - First Ave

St. George’s - Floral Lane

Southampton Princess - West Avenue

Lighthouse - Turtle Bay

Hermitage - Hinson Hall, Seamont Lane

Tucker’s Town - South Road

Stonington - Fritholme.