The operation to raise the wreck of the doomed Solway Harvester could take weeks or months, after the latest attempt to do so had to be abandoned.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the recovery ship lifted the boat from the seabed but was unable to get to harbour before the arrival of gale force winds.

The salvage vessel Wellservicer has now been stood down.

A spokesman for the Isle of Man Government expressed disappointment, but said the operation would definitely proceed at a future date.

Divers began preparing the wreck early on Sunday and the lift started at 6.30am, but had to be stopped an hour later because of the weather.

A rising swell made the operation too dangerous and the boat was replaced on the seabed.

The Isle of Man's Department of Home Affairs has decided to call a halt to more attempts to lift the Kirkcudbright-registered fishing vessel because of bad weather forecasts for the next fortnight and because the Wellservicer has other commitments.

Home Affairs Member John Shimmin said: "Our primary objective of returning the bodies of the crew to their families has been achieved.

"However we still have a responsibility to the coroner and have made a commitment to the families that the vessel will be raised when weather conditions allow.

"We have already investigated alternatives and the substantial work which has been carried out by the Wellservicer will enable the future operation to be more easily accomplished.

"I have no doubt the Solway Harvester will be raised."

Chief Inspector Dudley Butt, of the Isle of Man Constabulary, said the vessel would remain on the seabed until there was a spell of good weather, possibly in the spring.

No delay to inquiry

He added: "There is no real rush for the boat as we can start the inquiry already, we have good video footage and statements from people so we have work to be getting on with. So the inquiry won't be delayed."

The families of the crewmen who died have been informed of the latest development.

They are preparing for the funerals of their loved ones, which are due to take place this week, and were due to fly home to Scotland on Sunday afternoon. The bodies will be returned home on Monday.

The crew of the Wellservicer held a ceremony at the sea at the site where the Solway Harvester sank on January 11.

Two wreaths were thrown into to the sea on behalf of the salvage vessel's owner Coflexip Stena Offshore Limited and the Isle of Man government.

The crew has also donated £1,000 for the families of the victims while CSOL has pledged to match the amount raised.

Main objective achieved

Mr Butt added: "The crew of the Wellservicer have been very committed to this project.

"They have become personally and emotionally involved in the whole exercise and they are extremely disappointed, as we all are, that it was not possible to conclude the project.

"But the main objective, the recovery of the crew, was the most important aspect of this exercise and that has been achieved."