Salvage of containers from the MSC Napoli, beached off the south Devon coast, has been temporarily suspended because of worsening weather. And Coastguards have warned that it is likely that more containers will be lost overboard from the shop during the coming storm, and could be washed ashore.
However, there will be no repeat of the free-for-all looting that happened when the first containers reached the beach after the container ship was stranded last month.
“The normal arrangements in terms of recovery of wreck material through voluntary salvage do not apply in the case of the MSC Napoli,” explained Robin Middleton, Secretary of States Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention. “The reason for this is that comprehensive salvage contracts have already been placed by the owners of the ship (and the consignors) to recover all items from the vessel, including those lost overboard and washed ashore.
“Therefore members of the public have no legal authority to recover items as wreck or salvage from the MSC Napoli.”
The salvors of the MSC Napoli in agreement with the MCA have moved the Bigfoot barge, which was recovering the containers, back to Portland Port and away from the vessel, with the prospect of poorer weather and bigger sea swells in the immediate area of the wreck for the next few days.
Meanwhile, pumping equipment inside the engine room is removing the remaining oils from tanks within the ship's engine spaces.
So far 314 containers have been safely removed, 69 on Tuesday, of which 13 contained dangerous goods, which remain the priority for removal.
Mr Middleton said: “No further containers will be removed from the ship during the bad weather. It is likely that more containers will be lost from the ship during this bad weather. The oil removal operation will continue as long as safety is not compromised.
“Contingency plans remain in place right around the coastline and working in close co-operation with all the local authorities and the Police and Coastguard, any containers that may be washed ashore will be marked and secured as soon as they arrive on the beach. Aerial surveillance flights continue and these reconnaissance missions will also help us pinpoint any missing containers.
“Security officers are on standby in the various locations to identify and secure any containers that may come ashore on behalf of the Receiver of Wreck. It is vital that members of the public do not approach any container or touch any contents but inform the appropriate authorities immediately.
“If more containers wash up off the East Devon coast we will ensure with Devon and Cornwall Police that strategic points are manned to only allow access for local residents and businesses.”
A Devon County Council spokesman added: “In Branscombe those areas have already been identified from the last time containers came ashore and for most of the other towns across the coastline it would be a case of preventing extraneous traffic coming off the A3052, which is the main access route.”
For more information visit www.mcga.gov.uk
