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Operation to refloat MSC Napoli Operation to refloat MSC Napoli
(about 4 hours later)
Engineers are due to attempt to refloat the stricken container ship MSC Napoli, nearly six months after it was grounded off the Devon coast. Engineers are to attempt to refloat the stricken container ship MSC Napoli, nearly six months after it was grounded off the Devon coast.
The cargo vessel was carrying 2,300 containers when a storm damaged her hull in January and it was deliberately beached off Branscombe beach.The cargo vessel was carrying 2,300 containers when a storm damaged her hull in January and it was deliberately beached off Branscombe beach.
More than 100 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, leading to a scavenging and looting spree.More than 100 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, leading to a scavenging and looting spree.
The refloating operation will begin at high tide at about 0700 BST on Monday. The refloating operation will begin at high tide at about 0700 BST.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said that if the operation was successful the Napoli would be held in Branscombe Bay until a decision was made on its future.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said that if the operation was successful the Napoli would be held in Branscombe Bay until a decision was made on its future.
There will come a time when the MSC Napoli cannot be refloated Robin MiddletonThere will come a time when the MSC Napoli cannot be refloated Robin Middleton
A spokesman said the decision had been taken by the Secretary of State's Representative, Robin Middleton, after reviewing the condition of the ship and prevailing weather conditions in Lyme Bay.A spokesman said the decision had been taken by the Secretary of State's Representative, Robin Middleton, after reviewing the condition of the ship and prevailing weather conditions in Lyme Bay.
"The decision to refloat the vessel has been made to prevent further deterioration in the structure of the ship and to prevent further damage to the environment," the spokesman said."The decision to refloat the vessel has been made to prevent further deterioration in the structure of the ship and to prevent further damage to the environment," the spokesman said.
It will take several hours to pump out the thousands of tonnes of water from the beached vessel and a fair-weather window of three days is needed to complete the refloating operation.It will take several hours to pump out the thousands of tonnes of water from the beached vessel and a fair-weather window of three days is needed to complete the refloating operation.
Divers will inspect the ship's structure when it has been refloatedDivers will inspect the ship's structure when it has been refloated
A barge with winches and cranes, along with tugs and an anti-pollution vessel will be on hand during the operation and an aircraft will also be on scene to spot any pollution from the Napoli.A barge with winches and cranes, along with tugs and an anti-pollution vessel will be on hand during the operation and an aircraft will also be on scene to spot any pollution from the Napoli.
If the ship is refloated, divers from the Dutch salvage company, Smit International, will be sent down to carry out a thorough survey below the waterline.If the ship is refloated, divers from the Dutch salvage company, Smit International, will be sent down to carry out a thorough survey below the waterline.
The survey results will be used by naval architects to help determine the remaining strength of the vessel.The survey results will be used by naval architects to help determine the remaining strength of the vessel.
Mr Middleton said: "There will come a time when the MSC Napoli cannot be refloated due to the ravages of wind, weather and time, hence our decision at this time."Mr Middleton said: "There will come a time when the MSC Napoli cannot be refloated due to the ravages of wind, weather and time, hence our decision at this time."