Coastguards have now confirmed that some 200 tonnes of oil have leaked from a fuel tank on the stricken cargo ship MSC Napoli, which is beached off the Devon coast. The ship has also lost around 200 containers overboard, which includes some "dangerous but low-risk" goods. The ship suffered structural damage during storms on 18 January, and was deliberately beached off Branscombe to stop it sinking in deep water. It was then planned to tow the vessel to Portland Harbour in Dorset for a salvage operation, but a fracture on both sides meant this was impossible. There are fears that it could capsize and break up at any time, and a sheen of oil five miles long is currently on the sea surface. An operation to pump the remaining oil on board was due to begin on 22 January, so the containers which were left could then be winched off.
The 62,000 tonne vessel was carrying 2,323 containers, 158 of which were classified as having potentially hazardous contents. Of the 200 that have gone overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes and another contained small gas bottles for car airbags. The ship also contained a further 3,500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil in tanks, but none of these are thought to have split. It is believed 200 tonnes is close to the maximum that will leak from the engine room. Environmental damage is so far said to minimal, and an eight person salvage team is on board, with a team of divers being flown in to assist.
Julian Wardlaw of the Environment Agency said "We have an extremely sensitive bit of coastline. We are dealing with a World Heritage Site, and are working to make sure that damage is minimised."
