United Salvage was contracted to refloat the ship under a Lloyds Open Form salvage agreement.

Salvage operations manager Capt Eric Johnson went immediately to the casualty while an eight man salvage team, including four divers, was mobilised.

Initial reports found seven of the 10 cargo tanks and the engine room had been flooded and severe bottom damaged was anticipated.

Also mobilised were the tug Gray Test and the multi-purpose work vessel Gray Mammoth from Adsteam's subsidiary company Felixarc Marine. Both vessels were quickly on the scene and remained key assets during the entire operation.

A first priority for the salvage team was to secure the ship and remove fuel from bunker tanks situated beneath the flooded engine room. Gray Test and Gray Mammoth were used to lay additional anchors to seaward at bow and stern and to transport essential materials required to seal the cargo tanks and make temporary hull repairs. Gray Mammoth, with her powerful deck crane, was used as a work-platform alongside the Willy when tidal conditions permitted.

Within a few days a 250 ton sullage barge had been brought in and used to remove oil from the cofferdam between engine room and cargo tanks, and recovered bunker oil. Repairs were made to the area around the rudder stock and a skimmer was used to recover oil from water flooding the engine room.

With the assistance of a naval architect the salvage team completed stability calculations and produce plans to lift the vessel from the rocky seashore by pressuring the cargo tanks with compressed air.

By Friday, 11 January, all of the necessary tanks and compartments had been sealed and the vessel prepared for refloating. This was carried out flawlessly the same day with the Gray Test towing and the Gray Mammoth assisting. After further trimming and inspections, permission was given to proceed to Falmouth under tow by the Felixstowe tug Gray Test with the Gray Mammoth in attendance and the emergency towing vessel Far Sky escorting. The flotilla arrived off Falmouth around 0800 hours the next day and was eventually berthed safely to await dry-docking. At the time of writing it seemed probable that the Willy is beyond economic repair.