From the MSC Napoli Response Centre
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency released the following information yesterday, Sunday 8 July, ahead of the operation to re-float the Napoli today (see below):
MSC NAPOLI TO BE REFLOATED TOMORROW MORNING AND HELD IN BRANSCOMBE BAY
Late last week, a decision to refloat the `MSC Napoli’ in a holding position just off the beach at Branscombe early Monday was made by the Secretary of State’s Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention, Robin Middleton, after the reviewing the condition of the ship and the 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.
Once afloat, the vessel will then be held off Branscombe Beach in its current position awaiting a decision on its final disposal. It is estimated that it will take about 6 hours for the specialist pumps to pump out the 58,000 tons of water from the beached vessel. A fair weather window of about three days is required to complete the re-floating operation.
Vessels which will be on scene during the operation to refloat will include:
The workboats will be equipped with additional anti pollution gear and with DEFRA approved dispersant. A dedicated fixed wing aerial surveillance aircraft from the MCA will be on scene just prior to the refloat, and during the subsequent operations.
The pump and dive/salvage teams will be configured to allow for works to continue on a 24 hour a day basis during the refloating operation.
A dive survey vessel will also be on scene and following the successful refloat, divers will then conduct a general survey below the waterline by a team from the salvage company. Priority will be given to the area of the vessel surrounding frames 80 to 88 by the dive team.
The results of this dive survey will be utilised by naval architects to further establish the remaining strength in that area. Marine Accident Investigation Branch Inspectors have also been invited to be on board the dive survey vessel to view the on board screens as the survey takes place.
Robin 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. Once refloated on the early tide Monday, we then intend to hold the vessel off the beach pending a final decision as to its disposal. This has to be viewed as a holding measure to understand the remaining structural integrity of the vessel which will inform our options.”
Notes to Editors
There will be a restricted flying zone in place during the operation and a temporary exclusion zone has been increased to 1000 metres around the vessel.
(END)
The operation to refloat the vessel has gone well today. The ship has been towed a short distance into deeper water and anchored. Divers tomorrow will assess the condition of the hull below the water and based on that assessment, a decision will then be made concerning disposal of the ship.
Devon County Council has welcomed the news. The following has been issued today.
From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, July 09, 2007
Council welcomes MSC Napoli refloat
Devon County Council has welcomed news today that the MSC Napoli is being re-floated to allow further inspections, and congratulated the salvage team for their hard work which has brought the recovery operation ahead of schedule.
Councillor Margaret Rogers, the Council’s Executive Member for Environment, and local resident of Branscombe, said, "I am really pleased that the salvage and recovery operations are reaching a conclusion much sooner than had first been anticipated. The decision about the final fate of the vessel has to be very carefully taken in light of the divers’ assessments, and wishes of the ship’s owners. From a personal point of view, I would hope that it might be possible to leave the wreck on the sea bed as an artificial reef for divers or for it to be decommissioned for it to become a tourist attraction.”
The County Council announced earlier this year that it will be conducting its own inquiry into the incident, backed by East Devon and Dorset County Councils, to identify any issues arising that can help relevant emergency response authorities with their future contingency planning.
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