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More blasts plan to break up ship Ship split after new explosions
(about 24 hours later)
Coastguards believe more explosives will probably have to be detonated on Friday to split a beached container ship off the Devon coast. A third round of explosives has split a beached container ship in two off the Devon coast.
Explosions were triggered on the MSC Napoli, off Branscombe, on Tuesday and again at 1404 BST on Wednesday. Explosions were triggered on the MSC Napoli, off Branscombe, soon after midday on Friday.
But an inspection revealed the vessel remained intact, although it was "hanging on by a thread". Previous explosions were carried out on Tuesday and Wednesday which had left the vessel intact.
Tugs positioned at the bow and stern will continue attempts to pull the container ship apart. Salvors will be inspecting the damage and tugs positioned at the bow and stern will continue attempts to pull the container ship apart.
The operation is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Ministry of Defence. (MoD). The operation was carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Exclusion zone The MSC Napoli's hull is split after the third set of explosions The aim was to break the stern section away from the remainder of the vessel along the line of a huge crack running round the hull.
MCA spokesman Paul Coley told BBC News all the explosives had gone off successfully, but more cutting charges would be used on Friday "in all probability" in a bid to obtain a clean break around the front of the accommodation tower. The MSC Napoli has been stranded off Branscombe since it was damaged in a storm in January.
The aim is to break the stern section away from the remainder of the vessel along the line of a huge crack running round the hull. It had been en route from Antwerp to South Africa when her 26 crew members abandoned ship and were flown to safety.
The Napoli has been stranded off Branscombe since it was damaged in a storm in January. The ship was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again last week.
An assessment team which went on board the Napoli included the government's representative Robin Middleton. Now the forward section of the vessel is separated the plan is to tow it into deeper water and anchor it.
Police enforced the exclusion zone for people's safety
Mr Coley said: "It is still holding together, but very much weaker. It could be hanging on by a thread."
Once the forward section of the vessel is separated the plan is to tow it into deeper water and anchor it.
Divers will assess its structure and sites will be identified where it could be towed for recycling in mainland Europe.Divers will assess its structure and sites will be identified where it could be towed for recycling in mainland Europe.
The stern section, including the accommodation block, will be left where it is and will be cut up and recycled. That operation could take about a month. Explosives are detonated on the MSC Napoli's starboard sideThe stern section, including the accommodation block, will be left where it is and will be cut up and recycled. That operation could take about a month.
Mr Coley said the whole operation to salvage the Napoli was a "major disaster averted".
There are fears more oil pollution could deter holidaymakers
An extended exclusion zone on the shore and cliffs at Branscombe was enforced ahead of the explosion, amid fears of debris damage, but the footpaths were later reopened by the police.An extended exclusion zone on the shore and cliffs at Branscombe was enforced ahead of the explosion, amid fears of debris damage, but the footpaths were later reopened by the police.
The 1,000m exclusion zone around the ship remains in place and if the decision is taken to trigger more explosives on Friday, footpaths will be closed again for the public's safety. East Devon District Council has reminded the public that the beach at Branscombe is open.
Meantime, East Devon District Council has reminded the public that the beach as Branscome is open.
The MSC Napoli had been en route from Antwerp to South Africa when her 26 crew members abandoned ship and were flown to safety.
The ship was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again on Thursday.
Contractors appointed by the vessel's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on beaches.Contractors appointed by the vessel's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on beaches.
The pollution has prompted concerns by business leaders that it could lead to some holidaymakers cancelling summer bookings for Devon and Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic coast.The pollution has prompted concerns by business leaders that it could lead to some holidaymakers cancelling summer bookings for Devon and Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic coast.