Authorities abandoned plans this morning to get the vessel back to port in Picton - instead sending down divers to gather more information about how badly the vessel's run aground.
The ferry hit the coastline just after 10 last night after suffering a steering failure.
Nearly 50 people, crew and eight passengers have spent the night on board.
Harbourmaster Jake Oliver says options are currently being worked through on how to take non-essential people off the vessel later today.
He says the crew and passengers are safe on board and there's no evident environmental risks while the vessel's grounded.
Interislander general manager Duncan Roy says high tide is the best time to refloat with the most water around the ship, with the next one being around nine tonight.
