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/6287457.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Scavengers take washed-up goods Scavengers take washed-up goods
(about 2 hours later)
Police are patrolling beaches in Devon where members of the public have been taking goods washed ashore from stricken container ship MSC Napoli.Police are patrolling beaches in Devon where members of the public have been taking goods washed ashore from stricken container ship MSC Napoli.
Hundreds of people have made off with goods worth thousands of pounds from about 40 containers at Branscombe. Hundreds of people have made off with valuable hauls from some 40 containers which drifted onto Branscombe beach.
Police warned them they were breaking the law if they failed to declare taking any of the ship's cargo. Police have warned them they are breaking the law if they fail to declare taking any of the ship's cargo.
The coastguard said it may take a week to pump 3,500 tonnes of oil from the ship to stop more leaks into the sea.The coastguard said it may take a week to pump 3,500 tonnes of oil from the ship to stop more leaks into the sea.
Ten police officers were on the beach to prevent containers being broken open. Branscombe Police officers have been patrolling the beach to prevent unopened containers from being broken into and have closed all roads leading into the village.
They were also handing out forms so people could report what they had taken to the Receiver of Wreck. This must be done within 28 days, otherwise they are committing an offence.They were also handing out forms so people could report what they had taken to the Receiver of Wreck. This must be done within 28 days, otherwise they are committing an offence.
Map: Devon coastline and wreck siteMap: Devon coastline and wreck site
Branscombe Police's Pc Steve Speariett said "a couple of hundred people" were on the beach on Sunday night with the same number again scavenging on Monday.Branscombe Police's Pc Steve Speariett said "a couple of hundred people" were on the beach on Sunday night with the same number again scavenging on Monday.
Around 50 BMW motorbikes were carried off the beach last night Pc Steve Speariett Finders keepers?Around 50 BMW motorbikes were carried off the beach last night Pc Steve Speariett Finders keepers?
"Around 50 BMW motorbikes were carried off the beach last night," he added."Around 50 BMW motorbikes were carried off the beach last night," he added.
Gareth Topping told BBC News he had pulled one of the motorbikes out of a container.Gareth Topping told BBC News he had pulled one of the motorbikes out of a container.
"It took about eight to 10 of us to lift each one out. As each one came out the front wheels were put on, then they were taken down to the beach and over the cliffs," he said."It took about eight to 10 of us to lift each one out. As each one came out the front wheels were put on, then they were taken down to the beach and over the cliffs," he said.
Other products taken away included exhaust pipes, steering wheels and beauty cream, PC Speariett added. Other products taken away included exhaust pipes, steering wheels and beauty cream, Pc Speariett added.
The Napoli which is grounded about a mile out at sea, had also shed containers holding a 4x4 vehicle, car parts and nappies. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has reported that 600 seabirds had been found suffering from the effects of oil between Chesil Beach and Portland in Dorset, sparking fears environmental damage was worsening.
In total, the 62,000-tonne vessel was carrying 2,323 containers, 158 of which are classed as having potentially hazardous contents. The Napoli which is grounded about a mile out at sea, had also shed containers holding a 4x4 vehicle, ladies' shoes, Bibles in a foreign language and nappies.
Of the 200 that have gone overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and another had 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' class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6284377.stm">Your pictures: MSC Napoli class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6284739.stm">Fears of harm to local area
Declaration forms About 200 of the vessel's 2,323 containers have gone overboard, 158 of which are classed as having potentially hazardous contents.
Some containers have drifted as far east as West Bay in Dorset, say Solent coastguards.
Oil sheen
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.
Because of public interest in the Napoli and its contents, all roads leading into Branscombe have been closed. Meanwhile, up to 200 tonnes of oil from the engine room, mixed with water, has leaked from the cargo vessel. But officials said the fuel contained in the ship's tanks, which have not been punctured, was their main concern.
Meanwhile, up to 200 tonnes of oil from the engine room, mixed with water, has leaked from the cargo vessel.
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.The operation to remove the heavy fuel oil could last up to a week.
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' Your pictures: MSC Napoli
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.
That process had been delayed by "technical difficulties" but was due to get under way within the next 24 hours, Mr Coley said on Monday.
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.
Salvage team
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.
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 name="map"> People who may find a washed-up container are being asked to stay well clear and report it to Portland Coastguard on 01305 760439.
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.
Environmental damage is so far said to be minimal. Three oil-covered birds have been found.
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 before undergoing "major repairs" in Vietnam, according to Tore Hoifodt, senior vice president at Det Norske Veritas (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.
Return to the topReturn to the top
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.