Despite a couple of attempts by powerful tug Malaviya, the tanker could not be towed into the sea which was rough, a senior Chennai Port Trust official said.
Tanker 'Pratibha Cauvery' had drifted under the impact of high velocity winds in the wake of cyclone Nilam and ran aground on October 31 off a city beach. Six persons perished when their life boat capsized in rough sea after the incident.
Meanwhile, Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar of Madras High Court today adjourned the matter relating to moving the tanker from Chennai, to November 16.
The counsel for the shipping company submitted that seamen in the ship were protected and the ship was still in the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Additional Solicitor General submitted that he would file the counter by November 16.
The Madras High Court had earlier ruled that the tanker should not sail out of the territorial jurisdiction of the court till further orders and if it was to be moved, its owner should deposit Rs 6 crore in the court.