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Crane barges sail to Napoli's aid | Crane barges sail to Napoli's aid |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Two specialist crane barges are sailing from the Netherlands to join the operation to salvage the cargo of beached container ship MSC Napoli. | Two specialist crane barges are sailing from the Netherlands to join the operation to salvage the cargo of beached container ship MSC Napoli. |
They will start lifting the remaining 2,394 containers off the ship, grounded off Sidmouth, east Devon, on Saturday. | They will start lifting the remaining 2,394 containers off the ship, grounded off Sidmouth, east Devon, on Saturday. |
A team of 20 is working round the clock to pump oil from the ship. The 200 tonnes which had leaked into the sea has now been treated. | A team of 20 is working round the clock to pump oil from the ship. The 200 tonnes which had leaked into the sea has now been treated. |
Managers of the vessel said they were making "rapid progress". | Managers of the vessel said they were making "rapid progress". |
Graphic: The MSC Napoli | Graphic: The MSC Napoli |
Zodiac Maritime Agencies, based in London, said one third of the fuel had been removed from the Napoli by 0800 GMT on Thursday. | Zodiac Maritime Agencies, based in London, said one third of the fuel had been removed from the Napoli by 0800 GMT on Thursday. |
A sheen of leaked fuel, which had been several kilometres long and 30 metres wide, has also been treated with dispersant. | A sheen of leaked fuel, which had been several kilometres long and 30 metres wide, has also been treated with dispersant. |
But two of the ship's fuel tanks remain under water and it could take another week for all the fuel to be pumped to a second vessel, officials said. | But two of the ship's fuel tanks remain under water and it could take another week for all the fuel to be pumped to a second vessel, officials said. |
It will be a careful and slow operation MCA spokesman | It will be a careful and slow operation MCA spokesman |
A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the ship's remaining containers will be removed in priority order. | A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the ship's remaining containers will be removed in priority order. |
The process, which could take five months to complete, was likened to a game of Jenga - removing wooden blocks without toppling the pile. | The process, which could take five months to complete, was likened to a game of Jenga - removing wooden blocks without toppling the pile. |
An MCA spokesman added: "It will be a careful and slow operation." | An MCA spokesman added: "It will be a careful and slow operation." |
Lost containers | Lost containers |
The 62,000-tonne MSC Napoli, which was holed in storms on 18 January, was run aground following "serious structural failure". | The 62,000-tonne MSC Napoli, which was holed in storms on 18 January, was run aground following "serious structural failure". |
Hundreds of scavengers descended on the beach at Branscombe after 50 of the ship's containers washed ashore. | Hundreds of scavengers descended on the beach at Branscombe after 50 of the ship's containers washed ashore. |
Beachcombers took away goods that included BMW motorbikes, wine, face cream and nappies. | Beachcombers took away goods that included BMW motorbikes, wine, face cream and nappies. |
The MCA has warned the public not to touch any other containers which may drift ashore. | The MCA has warned the public not to touch any other containers which may drift ashore. |
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 |
Senior coastguard Derek Smith said the Receiver of Wreck was now requiring salvage to be surrendered on the spot. | Senior coastguard Derek Smith said the Receiver of Wreck was now requiring salvage to be surrendered on the spot. |
He said: "We do not want people to break containers open - they will make a mess and they will not be allowed to take anything away from the beach. | He said: "We do not want people to break containers open - they will make a mess and they will not be allowed to take anything away from the beach. |
"If they fail to comply with the instructions of the receiver they could be arrested by the police." | "If they fail to comply with the instructions of the receiver they could be arrested by the police." |
The ship's managers said 103 of its containers were lost from the vessel during the storms, although 70 had now been accounted for. | The ship's managers said 103 of its containers were lost from the vessel during the storms, although 70 had now been accounted for. |
A further 33 are being hunted using specialist sonar equipment. | A further 33 are being hunted using specialist sonar equipment. |
Hazardous materials, including perfume, pesticides and batteries, were being transported in 157 containers. | Hazardous materials, including perfume, pesticides and batteries, were being transported in 157 containers. |
Bird fears | Bird fears |
There are still fears thousands of seabirds could have been affected by the leaked oil. | There are still fears thousands of seabirds could have been affected by the leaked oil. |
About 1,000 birds have been rescued since the ship was deliberately grounded a mile off Branscombe to prevent it breaking up in deep water after suffering structural damage during storms on 17 January. | About 1,000 birds have been rescued since the ship was deliberately grounded a mile off Branscombe to prevent it breaking up in deep water after suffering structural damage during storms on 17 January. |
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds spokeswoman Sophie Atherton said it was difficult to determine exactly how many birds had been caught in the slick. | Royal Society for the Protection of Birds spokeswoman Sophie Atherton said it was difficult to determine exactly how many birds had been caught in the slick. |
She said: "For every oiled bird ashore, there could be up to 10 times that number at sea." | She said: "For every oiled bird ashore, there could be up to 10 times that number at sea." |
The Marine Conservation Society said it was satisfied that everything was being done to clear up after the Napoli. name="map"> | |
A decision will be made whether to re-float the ship after all the oil and containers have been removed. | A decision will be made whether to re-float the ship after all the oil and containers have been removed. |
MSC NAPOLI | MSC NAPOLI |
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