THREE Navy vessels, hoping for a break in the weather, remained above the spot today where a diesel fuel trawler transporter sank off Phuket at the weekend.

The break did not come - and the forecast is for continuing rain and storms off Phuket for at least the next week. Recovery of the Chotethaworn 6 and its remaining cargo of 25,000 litres of diesel fuel may have to wait until the weather improves.

Navy divers will be sent down to assess the situation and determine whether it's possible to haul the vessel to the surface intact, or pump up its intact load of fuel.

So far, environmental damage has been negligible. The crew of four were taken off safely before the Chotethaworn 6 sank in stormy seas. Another companion storage vessel also managed to transfer 15,000 litres of diesel fuel before the boat went down.

While the only spillage so far has been from the sinking vessel's engine, local authorities have reacted to ensure the protection of the surrounding sensitive marine environment off Phuket.

The Chotethaworn 6 sank on Saturday on its way to deliver essential fuel supplies to Racha Yai island, home of the five-star Racha Resort, despite a warning that coming storms would make sailing unsafe for all vessels.

Phuket's scudding storms are notorious for their destructive powers. Back in September 2008, a budget airline flight crash-landed in driving rain and strong winds at Phuket International Airport, killing 90 of the 130 people on board.

In March 2009, a Phuket storm that came out of nowhere capsized a new dive boat, sending it to the bottom within minutes, and killing six tourists and the Thai cook. The 23 survivors made it to shore hours later, after organising their own rescue.