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Fears after '200 tonne' oil leak Vessel leaks 200 tonnes of fuel
(about 2 hours later)
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.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 ship has also lost some 200 containers overboard and an anti-pollution operation is under way. The ship has also lost some 200 containers overboard, including two holding "dangerous but low-risk" goods.
An eight kilometre sheen of oil is now on the water's surface. A sheen of oil eight kilometres (five miles) long is now on the sea surface.
The ship suffered structural damage during Thursday's storms and was deliberately beached off Branscombe to stop it sinking in deep water.The ship suffered structural damage during Thursday's storms and was deliberately beached off Branscombe to stop it sinking in deep water.
There are fears it could capsize at any time. It is sharply listing and there are fears it could capsize and break up at any time.
An operation to pump the remaining oil on board is due to begin on Monday morning. The remaining containers could also then be winched off.
3,500 tonnes of oil
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.
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. 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
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 Of the 200 that have gone overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and one small gas bottles for car airbags.
It said it believed that 200 tonnes is close to the maximum that will leak out of the ship's engine room. Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman Paul Coley said these were "considered dangerous goods but for us they're low-risk."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the ship previously ran aground off Singapore in 2001. Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts.
Not all of the containers have been found and some have broken up. Some may have sunk while others could be far out to sea.
The ship also contains a further 3,500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil in tanks, but coastguards believe these have not split.
They believe 200 tonnes is close to the maximum that will leak out of the ship's engine room.
'Sensitive' coastline'Sensitive' coastline
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 was being towed to Portland Harbour in Dorset for a salvage operation, but on Friday coastguards decided to beach it because of its structural damage - a fracture on both sides.
The ship has suffered structural damage in the form of a fracture on both sides. An eight-person salvage team is on board, 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 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.
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. Environmental damage is so far said to be minimal. Three oil-covered birds have been found.
"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. Residents in nearby Sidmouth have spoken of the concern about the leak.
It has emerged that the ship was previously named CMA-CGM Normandie and ran aground in the Strait of Malacca in 2001. One man told the BBC: "It's a real worry that we could get pollution and there's a lot of wildlife lives on these shores, and certain rare sea birds."
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. Julian Wardlaw, of the Environment Agency, said: "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."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that the ship previously ran aground off Singapore in 2001.
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. It was previously named CMA-CGM Normandie and ran aground in the Strait of Malacca in 2001.
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. 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.
Booms have also been placed over river mouths to protect wildlife. People who may find a washed-up container are being asked to stay well clear and report it to Portland Coastguard on 01305 760439.
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.
"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.
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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