weekend.

The pipe-laying boat Corona , a former ferry, is believed to have gone down in 35 knot winds at the beginning of May.

Contractors Gringley Construction tried to raise the boat on Friday and Saturday using air bags but were unable to make any progress.

Marine and Ports officers fear that the boat could be a navigational hazard to other vessels.

And Independent MP Mr. Stuart Hayward fears the boat will also be a possible pollution hazard and create dangers for swimmers.

There are some concerns that the boat could damage the underwater cooling pipes it has laid for the incinerator.

Gringley Construction were asked to raise the boat by Marine and Ports but with little success. No-one at the company was available to comment on the operation yesterday but it is understood that an air bag used inside the old vessel to restore its buoyancy burst as the ferry was rising to the surface.

The Corona made the news in February when it narrowly avoided a water spout off the Islands. The three man crew had to battle against strong winds and high seas to get it back to port. It lost its wheelhouse in the storm.

It is believed that the boat's old age and repeated batterings from storms finally took their toll when it sank four weeks ago.

SUNKEN PLANS -- Divers unsuccessfully try to refloat the Corona on Saturday.