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Crane barges sail to Napoli's aid Crane barges sail to Napoli's aid
(about 3 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".
href="#map">Graphic: The MSC Napoli href="#map">Map of the area and diagram of 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. So far, one third of the fuel has been pumped from the Napoli into another tanker.
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, had 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 remained 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 spokesmanIt 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 would 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 containersLost 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 deliberately 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 including 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 seasMaritime 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. The remaining 33 were being hunted with 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 of the containers.
Bird fearsBird 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 grounded.
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. The RSPB said 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." "For every oiled bird ashore, there could be up to 10 times that number at sea," said spokeswoman Sophie Atherton.
The Marine Conservation Society said it was satisfied that everything was being done to clear up after the Napoli. The Marine Conservation Society said it was satisfied that everything was being done to clear up after the Napoli.
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 over whether to re-float the ship after all the oil and containers have been removed.
MSC NAPOLI
  • Identified fuel tank contents given by MCA on 23 January
    		• MSC NAPOLI
  • Identified fuel tank contents given by MCA on 23 January
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