Danish authorities are working with Peter Dohle of Germany on a plan to salvage a boxship that suffered a 50-metre tear in its hull after grounding last week.

But Michael Horn, watch leader of Defence Command Denmark (DCD), told the Fyens daily there would be legal action against the owner of the 1,678-teu Victoria (built 2004) if the accident off Funen on 10 February was found to be the vessel's fault.

Evidence