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| Stricken container ship refloated | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The stricken container ship MSC Napoli has been refloated, nearly six months after it was grounded off the south Devon coast. | |
| The 62,000 tonne vessel floated free a mile off Sidmouth after 58,000 tonnes of water was pumped from her holds. | |
| The refloating operation began on Monday morning and took just over two hours. | |
| A barge with winches and cranes, along with tugs and an anti-pollution vessel are assisting at sea off Branscombe. | |
| The vessel carrying 2,300 containers was damaged in a storm in January. | The vessel carrying 2,300 containers was damaged in a storm in January. |
| 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 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said earlier that if the operation was successful, the Napoli would be held in Branscombe Bay until a decision was made on its future. | |
| 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. |
| Containers removed | Containers removed |
| "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. |
| Since the decision was made in January to beach the 62,000 tonne vessel, salvors have worked around the clock to remove all of the containers from the stricken ship. | Since the decision was made in January to beach the 62,000 tonne vessel, salvors have worked around the clock to remove all of the containers from the stricken ship. |
| Approximately 150 of them were classed as having potentially hazardous contents. | Approximately 150 of them were classed as having potentially hazardous contents. |
| Of the 200 that went overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and one small gas bottles for car airbags. | Of the 200 that went overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and one small gas bottles for car airbags. |
| Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts. | Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts. |