[Bill]

Once the initial try at pulling it out with tugs failed, they should have been working as fast as possible to offload the container cargo. Do that, then pump out the ballast water, and, if necessary, pump out most of the fuel oil, THEN tug it out.

I'm reminded of the last days of the US in S. Vietnam, when sailors were pushing perfectly good Hueys over the side, into the water to make room for more refugees. Start pushing containers off into the water. They'll float long enough to either beach on the sides of the canal, or to be retrieved. So what if the cargo is ruined? Look at the big picture.