From the MSC Napoli Response Centre

The weather forecast today is for southwesterly winds possibly reaching gale 8, with rain or drizzle or showers.  Sea conditions are moderate or rough.

There has been no noticable change in the condition of the vessel.

Skimming of oil from the hold is continuing.  High winds yesterday impeded the container lifting operation for a few hours, but the removal of containers did commence late afternoon and is continuing again today despite poor weather conditions.

Arrival of the MSC Grace to Portland has been delayed due to congestion problems at Antwerp and is now scheduled to arrive on 11 May to transfer processed containers on to Le Havre.   Arrangements are being made at Portland to manage the high volume of containers in storage.

There have been no new reports of oil at sea or on shore.  A small number of polystyrene pellets floating in water around Portland Port have been collected.  A fisherman has recovered a container side panel, which will be identified so long as the identification number is available.

Poor weather yesterday also hampered diving work to locate other submerged containers.

A meeting is planned for Friday this week between the ship's owners and the Chairman of the Environment Group to discuss the environmental impact of the removal of the ship.

Devon County Council has released the following press release today, concerning a meeting of the Devon Maritime Forum this Friday, to discuss the Government's Marine Bill White Paper:

Devon Maritime Forum to discuss Marine Bill

THE Devon Maritime Forum will meet with Defra officials to discuss the Government’s Marine Bill White Paper on Friday. (11 May)

The Forum has invited Defra's head of the Marine Bill team to the meeting at the Riviera Centre, Torquay, to find out what current Government thinking is and to try to help guide the legislation.

The publication of the Marine Bill White Paper will set out new legislation covering planning in the marine environment, licensing of development activity, marine nature conservation, fisheries and a new "Marine Management Organisation".  

Professor Laurence Mee, Chairman of the Devon Maritime Forum and Director of the University of Plymouth's Marine Institute, said: "The Marine Bill is the single most important piece of legislation to come forward that affects the marine environment.  

The beaching of the Napoli emphasises the vulnerability of our marine environment. It is vital that we have our say locally.  Our Devon Maritime Forum meeting welcomes the opportunity to speak directly to Defra on the Marine Bill."

Also on the agenda at the meeting is the beaching of the MSC Napoli, planning in Lyme Bay, the maritime economy in Torbay, Marine Protected Areas - The Finding Sanctuary Project and Shoreline Management Plans.

The Forum is supported by Devon County Council, Environment Agency, Natural England, South West Water, Devon Wildlife Trust, National Trust and University of Plymouth.