Bad weather has thwarted attempts by investigators to board a trawler that ran aground on Hirta, St Kilda.
The Spinningdale ran aground two weeks ago
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has only been able to fly over the vessel, which became wedged on rocks two weeks ago.
A contract to remove the Spinningdale is in the process of being signed, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.
Fish, bait, fuel and oil on the boat will also have to be removed.
The MCA said the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), which owns St Kilda, had requested the vessel's removal.
A spokesman said the Spinningdale had not been broken up by the sea and the agency would monitor the salvage operation.
In the meantime, the agency said the MAIB was waiting for improved conditions so investigators could board the vessel as part of a probe of its grounding.