Lyubov Orlova owner still hopes ship can be retrieved

The owner of the Lyubov Orlova is still hoping the derelict vessel can be safely recovered.

The former Russian cruise ship has been drifting away from Newfoundland since attempts to reconnect a tow line to it failed, almost two weeks ago.

Reza Shoeybi, who owns the vessel, said when the Orlova gets close to Europe he hopes a ship on that side of the Atlantic can safely snag it.

"I'm trying my best. I'm talking to a few people in Irelandsalvage companiesperhaps to partner up with them and retrieve her," Shoeybi told CBC News.

Shoeybi said the Orlova is floating well because a lot of work was done to balance its ballast tanks.

The ship broke free from a tug last month that was supposed to tow it to a wrecking yard in the Dominican Republic