From the MSC Napoli Response Centre

SEAWARD

The weather forecast today is reasonable, although unsettled weather is expected tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Naval Architects, appointed by the vessel owners, inspected the MSC Napoli at low tide yesterday to assess the condition of the vessel.  Options that the consultants will be considering include refloating the vessel to tow away, and cutting the vessel up in situ for removal by barge.  

There has been no change to the vessel's condition.

The salvage crew are continuing to skim oil from water in the engine room and Number 6 Hold.

The tanks containing marine diesel oil in the engine room are being pumped today.  They contain approximately 45 tonnes.  There are pockets of oil on board which will be skimmed as and when they are encountered.

48 containers were removed safely yesterday, which included one that contained acids.   The crane barge, Big Foot, and the shuttle barge, are discharging 185 containers to Portland Port today.  Big Foot is due to return to site tomorrow morning.

643 containers have now been removed in total from the deck of the vessel.  There are just 203 containers remaining on deck.  3 containers have been removed from below deck for access to the Hold.  There are 1,556 containers remaining on/in the vessel in total.

The latest figures for the number of containers lost since the vessel grounded are:  116 containers washed overboard.  30 are unlocated, presumed sunk.  11 submerged containers have been located.  73 containers have washed ashore.  2 containers were initially lost in French waters.

Vessel owners will have the MSC Grace to assist in the container removal operation, arriving on Sunday.  The MSC Grace will act as a feeder vessel, for the shuttle barge and Big Foot to unload onto for transfer onward.   

A survelliance aircraft confirms that there is still a small amount of sheen oil around the vessel.  There is no new oil come from the vessel.

ONSHORE

Contractors have established a decontamination compound at Portland Port.  This has been licenced by the Environment Agency.  Decontamination of hazardous materials is due to begin on Thursday or Friday this week.

No fresh oil has come ashore.  Contractors are today cleaning the small amounts of oil that previously washed ashore at Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton.  This oil has coagulated into manageable globules which will be easily removed.

The Contractor's clean up operations are continuing well.  They have brought in more people to assist.  Today they will be attempting at high tide to remove the empty containers from the beaches at Beer and Golden Cap.  They are continuing to use the electro magnet to clean the beach at Branscombe.  They will be carrying out a full survey of beaches across Lyme Bay to identify debris washed ashore.   Duck carcases washed ashore are being collected for incineration.  Cleaning in other areas continues.