From the MSC Napoli Response Centre

Final disposal of the ship is still being carefully considered.  A decision is pending on which port to tow the bow to for recycling.  The contract to remove the stern is being tendered. The feasibility of permanent booming is being considered as part of this operation.

Optimum booming conditions are in weather less than force 5 to 6 and in a tidal stream of less than 0.75 knots. The conditions on site will sometimes exceed this, making booming very difficult and on occasions dangerous and quite ineffective.

During the final separation of the hull into 2 parts two booms were made ready for immediate deployment should a release of oil occur.  These were both deployed after separation.  Small amounts of pollution have been leaking from the exposed sections of the ship.

The exposed steel work on the two ship sections have damaged both booms after the strong winds overnight, which has meant that the booms have had to be removed for damage assessment.

Pollution is being monitored by aerial surveillance flights. Oil ashore has been reported in Seaton, and West Bay.  Contractors are aware and are responding - see attached newsletter for details of how the contractors are responding.

East Devon District Council erected more posters (67KB - pdf help) on beaches last Friday warning people to be aware of oil and what to do if they step in it.

The following newsletter was released this weekend, produced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. (474KB - pdf help)