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 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Ship debris beach clear-up starts | Ship debris beach clear-up starts |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The clear-up operation of a Devon beach left strewn with debris after scavengers plundered cargo from a grounded ship has begun. | The clear-up operation of a Devon beach left strewn with debris after scavengers plundered cargo from a grounded ship has begun. |
| Police moved to clear Branscombe beach, which has seen crowds of treasure-seekers looking for goods. | Police moved to clear Branscombe beach, which has seen crowds of treasure-seekers looking for goods. |
| Devon and Cornwall Police have said confusion over the law hampered them, and said lessons will be learned. | |
| Work is continuing to pump 3,500 tonnes of fuel oil from the MSC Napoli, with hundreds of birds already affected. | Work is continuing to pump 3,500 tonnes of fuel oil from the MSC Napoli, with hundreds of birds already affected. |
| 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. | |
| Map: Devon coastline and wreck site | |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said 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. |
| Scavengers are no longer being allowed on the beach, with police saying they will remove people so the clear-up can go on. | 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. | 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. |
| MSC NAPOLI | MSC NAPOLI |
| Those failing to do so could be arrested for theft, police said. | |
| Only the occasional straggler could be seen on the beach by daybreak, although there were 40 to 50 people combing the beach during the night. Police said organised gangs had targeted the area. | |
| Devon and Cornwall police spokesman Alan Mobbs said: "Initially there was some confusion over the legislation. For example, did we have the power to close the beach. | |
| "It's maritime legislation which is something that the police aren't normally involved in." | |
| Maritime experts believe structural damage to the Napoli caused it to start 'hogging' The weakened hull causes a ship's bow and stern to sagThe effect is made worse by rough seas | Maritime experts believe structural damage to the Napoli caused it to start 'hogging' The weakened hull causes a ship's bow and stern to sagThe effect is made worse by rough seas |
| He said it was quite possible the beach could be closed until Easter while the clean-up work went on. | |
| A platform is being constructed next to the beach so contractors can cut up and remove containers and other cargo. | |
| 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. | The procedure to remove the oil from the ship is proceeding slowly, with 28 tonnes an hour being pumped out. |
| MCA spokesman Mark Clark said: "It is going to be a sticky horrible job." | 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 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. | 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. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY Let them keep what they find - they are removing rubbish from the beach! Ken Bolton, Manchester class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5361&edition=1&ttl=20070123110515">Send us your comments | |
| 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. | 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. | 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 top | Return to the top |