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/6293307.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Ship debris beach clear-up starts Ship debris beach clear-up starts
(about 3 hours later)
The clear-up operation of a Devon beach left strewn with debris after scavengers plundered cargo from a grounded ship is getting under way. The clear-up operation of a Devon beach left strewn with debris after scavengers plundered cargo from a grounded ship has begun.
Branscombe beach, which has seen hundreds of treasure-seekers looking for goods, has been fenced off. Police moved to clear Branscombe beach, which has seen crowds of treasure-seekers looking for goods.
Work is continuing to pump 3,500 tonnes of fuel oil from the MSC Napoli. Work is continuing to pump 3,500 tonnes of fuel oil from the MSC Napoli, with hundreds of birds already affected.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the efforts could take a week and it could be a year before the vessel and its contents were removed. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it could be a year before the vessel and its contents were removed.
Anybody on the beach now will be removed by police. People carrying any objects from the ship's cargo will also be asked to declare it before they leave and fill in the relevant forms, or surrender the property. Scavengers are no longer being allowed on the beach, with police saying they will remove people so the clear-up can go on.
People carrying any objects from the ship's cargo will also be asked to declare it before they leave and fill in the relevant forms, or surrender the property.
Map: Devon coastline and wreck site
Those failing to do so could be arrested for theft, police said.Those failing to do so could be arrested for theft, police said.
Only the occasional straggler could be seen on the beach by daybreak.Only the occasional straggler could be seen on the beach by daybreak.
Map: Devon coastline and wreck site
A platform is being constructed next to the beach so contractors can cut up and remove containers and other cargo.A platform is being constructed next to the beach so contractors can cut up and remove containers and other cargo.
HAVE YOUR SAY Let them keep what they find. They are removing rubbish from the beach! Ken Bolton, Manchester Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Let them keep what they find. They are removing rubbish from the beach! Ken Bolton, Manchester Send us your comments
The Napoli suffered structural damage during storms last Thursday and was deliberately grounded a mile off Branscombe to stop it breaking up in deep water.The Napoli suffered structural damage during storms last Thursday and was deliberately grounded a mile off Branscombe to stop it breaking up in deep water.
Over the last three days scavengers have descended on the beach, taking away goods that included BMW motorbikes, wine, face cream and nappies.Over the last three days scavengers have descended on the beach, taking away goods that included BMW motorbikes, wine, face cream and nappies.
Despite efforts to stop people taking any more items, between 40 and 50 people are said to have been scavenging on the beach overnight. Security at the site has been stepped up. Despite efforts to stop people taking any more items, between 40 and 50 people are said to have been scavenging on the beach overnight. Police said organised gangs had targeted the area.
The police have said organised gangs had targeted the area.
The behaviour has seen the Acting Receiver of Wreck use special powers dating back to the Merchant Shipping Act 1854 to force people to return goods they have taken.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reported that 900 guillemots and 200 gulls had been found suffering from the effects of oil. Some have been found up to 25 miles away, near Torbay.The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reported that 900 guillemots and 200 gulls had been found suffering from the effects of oil. Some have been found up to 25 miles away, near Torbay.
The procedure to remove the oil from the ship is proceeding slowly, with 28 tonnes an hour being pumped out.
Oil leak
MCA spokesman Mark Clark said: "It is going to be a sticky horrible job."
The two-and-a-half tonnes of oil that leaked from the vessel on Tuesday has been dispersed with spray from an aircraft.
The cost of the entire clean-up operation will be borne by the ship's owners, the MCA has insisted. The work is being co-ordinated by the MCA, the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation and the salvage contractor Smit.
A full Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigation has started, with investigators hoping to board the vessel on Wednesday subject to changing weather.
Investigators are likely to look at the effects of repairs conducted after an accident involving the ship in 2001 near Singapore.
The Napoli, then called the CMA-CGM Normandie, ran aground and was stuck for 60 days on a reef, requiring major repairs at a yard in Vietnam.
Return to the topReturn to the top