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Explosives to be used on Napoli Explosives ignited on MSC Napoli
(20 minutes later)
An operation to separate a stricken cargo ship into two pieces will begin on Tuesday off the east Devon coast. Explosives have been used in an attempt to separate a stricken cargo ship into two pieces off the east Devon coast.
Explosive cutting charges will be used to cut the deck plates on the MSC Napoli, which has been stranded off Branscombe since January. Cutting charges were detonated remotely at about 1410 BST to cut deck plates on the MSC Napoli, which has been stranded off Branscombe since January.
A further operation will be carried out on Wednesday to cut the vessel's longitudinal joists.A further operation will be carried out on Wednesday to cut the vessel's longitudinal joists.
It is hoped this will allow the part of the ship forward of the accommodation block to be parted from the stern. It is hoped this will allow the part of the ship ahead of the accommodation block to be parted from the stern.
A 1000m exclusion zone will be placed around the Napoli and navigational warnings issued. A 1000m exclusion zone has been placed around the Napoli and navigational warnings were issued.
The possibility of using small explosive charges was discussed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the MoD's Marine Salvage Operations after attempts to flex and break the hull during the spring tide failed on Monday morning. Foam has been put on deck to absorb the explosion impact
The MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded in January after it was damaged in storms.The MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded in January after it was damaged in storms.
Cliff danger
It was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again on Thursday.It was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again on Thursday.
Members of the public have been warned not to put themselves in danger by attempting to watch the detonation from the cliffs at Branscombe. The MCA warned that more residual oil could be released when the ship's hull is broken.
Police are enforcing the exclusion zone on the nearby cliffs
The MCA said experts would carry out the operation in a controlled manner.
But it warned that more residual oil could be released when the ship's hull is broken.
Contractors appointed by the ship's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on some of the beaches along the World Heritage Jurassic coast.Contractors appointed by the ship's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on some of the beaches along the World Heritage Jurassic coast.
Devon and Cornwall Police said a number of footpaths around Branscombe will be closed prior to the cutting charges being detonated on the Napoli.
Restricted parking
Supt Emma Webber said public safety was of paramount importance.
"As some of the coastal paths are within the 1000m exclusion zone from the vessel we will close them on Tuesday 17 July 2007 from midday until after the detonation has taken place," she said.
"I ask that the public do not try to get to the cliff edge to see the ship as this will mean they put themselves into the danger area."
Parking will also be restricted in Branscombe, with traffic police patrolling the area.