This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/6285699.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Oil to be moved from beached ship Oil to be moved from beached ship
(40 minutes later)
Coastguard officials hope to begin pumping 3,500 tonnes of oil from the stricken ship MSC Napoli to prevent more fuel leaking into the sea.Coastguard officials hope to begin pumping 3,500 tonnes of oil from the stricken ship MSC Napoli to prevent more fuel leaking into the sea.
Up to 200 tonnes of oil from the engine room, mixed with water, has leaked from the cargo vessel, which is beached off the Devon coast.Up to 200 tonnes of oil from the engine room, mixed with water, has leaked from the cargo vessel, which is beached off the Devon coast.
But officials said the fuel contained in the ship's tanks, which have not been punctured, was their main concern. The operation to remove the heavy fuel oil could last up to a week. But officials said the fuel contained in the ship's tanks, which have not been punctured, was their main concern.
Robin Middleton from the Department of Transport said two vessels were waiting to receive the oil. The operation to remove the heavy fuel oil could last up to a week.
He said it was a difficult operation because of the angle of the ship and because the oil had to be heated before it could be removed. Paul Coley, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the fuel had to be heated before it could be off-loaded to a waiting vessel.
But in spite of these difficulties he was "highly confident" that the operation would be a success and that any environmental damage would be minimal. That process had been delayed but was due to get under way within the next 24 hours, Mr Coley said on Monday.
'Technical difficulties'
"There have been a few technical difficulties but we're hoping to start pumping later today or tomorrow," he said.
After the fuel oil has been transferred to another vessel, two cranes will be used to remove the containers from the Napoli.
A sheen of oil eight kilometres (five miles) long had been created on the sea surface after the engine room flooded, he said.
That oil was difficult to recover because it was so thin but Mr Coley added there were "no significant" reports of oil coming ashore.
We have an extremely sensitive bit of coastline; we are dealing with a World Heritage Site Julian Wardlaw, Environment Agency Fears of harm to local areaWe have an extremely sensitive bit of coastline; we are dealing with a World Heritage Site Julian Wardlaw, Environment Agency Fears of harm to local area
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.
A sheen of oil eight kilometres (five miles) long is now on the sea surface.
The ship has lost some 200 containers overboard, including two holding "dangerous but low-risk" goods.The ship has lost some 200 containers overboard, including two holding "dangerous but low-risk" goods.
Despite a warning to stay away from the containers, dozens of people reportedly spent the night "salvaging" thousands of pounds worth of goods on the shoreline.Despite a warning to stay away from the containers, dozens of people reportedly spent the night "salvaging" thousands of pounds worth of goods on the shoreline.
It is believed 200 tonnes is close to the maximum that will leak out of the ship's engine room. Battery acid
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, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and one small gas bottles for car airbags.Of the 200 that have gone overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and one small gas bottles for car airbags.
WHY IS THE AREA SO SPECIAL? It's part of Britain's first natural World Heritage SiteThe site covers 95 miles of coast from East Devon to Dorset185 million years of the Earth's history are recorded in the rocks It's known as the Jurassic Coast after the best-known geological period found within itIt was declared a World Heritage Site in December 2001 as 'an outstanding example of the major stages of the Earth's history'WHY IS THE AREA SO SPECIAL? It's part of Britain's first natural World Heritage SiteThe site covers 95 miles of coast from East Devon to Dorset185 million years of the Earth's history are recorded in the rocks It's known as the Jurassic Coast after the best-known geological period found within itIt was declared a World Heritage Site in December 2001 as 'an outstanding example of the major stages of the Earth's history'
Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts.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.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.
Forms handed outForms handed out
Police said they had drafted in extra officers as people searched the shore by torchlight for goods overnight.Police said they had drafted in extra officers as people searched the shore by torchlight for goods overnight.
Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 it is an offence for people to remove items from a wreck if they conceal or keep possession of cargo and refuse to surrender it, police said.Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 it is an offence for people to remove items from a wreck if they conceal or keep possession of cargo and refuse to surrender it, police said.
This photo of an oil covered bird was sent by Gareth HughesThis photo of an oil covered bird was sent by Gareth Hughes
Officers handed forms to those searching the coast on which they must declare what items they have taken.Officers handed forms to those searching the coast on which they must declare what items they have taken.
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 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.
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 on board, and a team of divers is being flown in to join them.
Environmental damage is so far said to be minimal. Three oil-covered birds have been found.Environmental damage is so far said to be minimal. Three oil-covered birds have been found.
Residents in nearby Sidmouth have spoken of the concern about the leak.Residents in nearby Sidmouth have spoken of the concern about the leak.
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."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."
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."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.Meanwhile, it has emerged that the ship previously ran aground off Singapore in 2001.
It was previously named CMA-CGM Normandie and ran aground in the Strait of Malacca in 2001.It 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 cargo ships.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.
People who may find a washed-up container are being asked to stay well clear and report it to Portland Coastguard on 01305 760439.People who may find a washed-up container are being asked to stay well clear and report it to Portland Coastguard on 01305 760439.
You can send us your pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. You can send us your pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.