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Operation to refloat MSC Napoli | Operation to refloat MSC Napoli |
(about 4 hours later) | |
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. | |
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 Middleton | There 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 refloated | Divers 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." |