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Fight to prevent Napoli oil leak Fears after '200 tonne' oil leak
(about 1 hour later)
An anti-pollution operation is under way after a stricken cargo ship off the Devon coast began leaking oil and lost some 200 containers overboard. Some 200 tonnes of oil have leaked from a fuel tank on the stricken cargo ship MSC Napoli, beached off the Devon coast, coastguards have confirmed.
The MSC Napoli suffered structural damage during Thursday's storms and was beached off Branscombe to stop it sinking in deep water. The ship has also lost some 200 containers overboard and an anti-pollution operation is under way.
Up to 200 tonnes of oil may have leaked from a fuel tank on the listing vessel, sparking pollution concern. An eight kilometre sheen of oil is now on the water's surface.
It has emerged that the ship previously ran aground off Singapore in 2001. The ship suffered structural damage during Thursday's storms and was deliberately beached off Branscombe to stop it sinking in deep water.
Department of Transport salvage chief Robin Middleton said he had decided the ship should be towed in and beached in Lyme Bay to reduce environmental damage. There are fears it could capsize at any time.
The 62,000 tonne vessel was carrying 2,323 containers, 158 of which are classed as having potentially hazardous contents.The 62,000 tonne vessel was carrying 2,323 containers, 158 of which are classed as having potentially hazardous contents.
Three of the containers already washed overboard contained battery acid and perfumes. Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts. Of the 200 that have gone overboard, three contained battery acid and perfumes. Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts.
Mr Middleton told a news conference that the ship had suffered structural damage in the form of a fracture on both sides. The cargo ship contains 3,500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, but coastguards believe the tanks within the ship have not split. We have an extremely sensitive bit of coastline; we are dealing with a World Heritage Site Julian Wardlaw, Environment Agency class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6284739.stm">Fears of harm to local area
We have an extremely sensitive bit of coastline; we are dealing with a World Heritage Site Julian Wardlaw, Environment Agency class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6284739.stm">Fears of harm to local area It said it believed that 200 tonnes is close to the maximum that will leak out of the ship's engine room.
Mr Middleton said the salvage plan was focusing on oil which was deemed to be "the greater threat". Meanwhile, it has emerged that the ship previously ran aground off Singapore in 2001.
He said this included "diesel and 3,500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil" used to fuel the ship. 'Sensitive' coastline
"At the moment it is all contained within the vessel," said Mr Middleton. Department of Transport salvage chief Robin Middleton said he had decided the ship should be towed in and beached in Lyme Bay to reduce environmental damage.
The ship has suffered structural damage in the form of a fracture on both sides.
An eight-person salvage team is currently on board the ship and a team of divers is being flown in to join them.An eight-person salvage team is currently on board the ship and a team of divers is being flown in to join them.
The anti-pollution team said they hoped to be able to start pumping out the remaining oil on board the ship on Monday.The anti-pollution team said they hoped to be able to start pumping out the remaining oil on board the ship on Monday.
'Sensitive' coastline
"The plan is to stabilise the vessel, then to remove the fuel, then to remove the containers and then to remove the vessel itself," said Mr Middleton."The plan is to stabilise the vessel, then to remove the fuel, then to remove the containers and then to remove the vessel itself," said Mr Middleton.
Three oil-covered birds were reported to the Environment Agency, prompting the RSPCA to work on the clean-up operation.
"We have an extremely sensitive bit of coastline; we are dealing with a World Heritage Site and we are working to make sure that damage is minimised," said Julian Wardlaw, team leader for the Environment Agency.
This photo of an oil covered bird was sent by Gareth HughesThis photo of an oil covered bird was sent by Gareth Hughes
Three oil-covered birds have been reported to the Environment Agency, prompting the RSPCA to work on the clean-up operation.
"We have an extremely sensitive bit of coastline; we are dealing with a World Heritage Site and we are working to make sure that damage is minimised," said Julian Wardlaw, team leader for the Environment Agency.
It has emerged that the ship was previously named CMA-CGM Normandie and ran aground in the Strait of Malacca in 2001.It has emerged that the ship was previously named CMA-CGM Normandie and ran aground in the Strait of Malacca in 2001.
The ship subsequently had to undergo "major repairs" in Vietnam, according to Tore Hoifodt, senior vice president at DNV, which classes and inspects 17% of the world's cargo fleet. The ship subsequently had to undergo "major repairs" in Vietnam, according to Tore Hoifodt, senior vice president at DNV, which classes and inspects cargo ships.
Amid reports of an oil slick, a spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said oil had formed a "sheen" on the surface of the water, but it was hoped this would disperse.
The oil escaped when booms at the stern of the ship were lifted on Saturday night to prevent them being damaged by floating containers in the storm, said the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Some of the containers from the vessel have come ashoreSome of the containers from the vessel have come ashore
The oil escaped when booms at the stern of the ship were lifted on Saturday night to prevent them being damaged by floating containers in the storm, said the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Amid reports of an oil slick, a spokeswoman for the said oil had formed a "sheen" on the surface of the water, but it was hoped this would disperse.
Booms have also been placed over river mouths to protect wildlife.Booms have also been placed over river mouths to protect wildlife.
Paul Coley of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency described the hazardous products in the missing containers as being "low risk": Paul Coley of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency described the hazardous products in the missing containers as being "low risk".
"We've got perfume products that you find on the shelves in the shops, and some battery acid in one," he said."We've got perfume products that you find on the shelves in the shops, and some battery acid in one," he said.
"The other contains small car parts, which is airbag release bottles, which are very small gas bottles. They're considered dangerous goods but for us they're low-risk.""The other contains small car parts, which is airbag release bottles, which are very small gas bottles. They're considered dangerous goods but for us they're low-risk."
Coastguards still hunting the other containers say some may have sunk and others could be as far as six miles out to sea.Coastguards still hunting the other containers say some may have sunk and others could be as far as six miles out to sea.
People are being warned not to approach any container they may find but to report it to Portland Coastguard on 01305 760439. People are being warned not to approach any container they may find, but to report it to Portland Coastguard on 01305 760439.
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