Smash hit

Attend an evening with Andre Agassi

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
July 21, 2007

Stricken cargo ship finally breaks apart after two days of explosions

The MSC Napoli is spilt in two

The damaged container ship that caused a mini-goldrush on a Devon beach has been split in two by explosives as part of a £50 million salvage operation.

The MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded off the Devon coast in January after it was damaged in a storm. The cracked hull meant it was impossible to tow, so salvage officials decided to break the vessel apart. It took three rounds of precision blasts over two days to separate the bow from the stern. A boat carrying dispersants was on standby in case the Napoli leaked any more oil.

Toby Stone, the head of counter-pollution and response at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: “We are pleased with the outcome of today’s operation, and we move into the next phase considering options for disposal.”

He said decisions on the future of the two halves of the ship would be taken quite quickly.

In January, about 200 containers fell into the sea. About 40 washed up on the beach at Branscombe, bringing out hundreds of scavengers who took away cargo such as new BMW motorbikes.

About 200 tonnes of oil leaked from the stricken ship, affecting 2,000 seabirds.

Bookmark and Share

Also in UK News

Also in News

Comment     

Professor David Spiegelhalter
 

Hospitals are not football teams that can easily be ranked in a league table, and measuring safety is complex and open to manipulation  

More...
David Spiegelhalter

War art

War artist Arabella Dorman in her Studio in Chelsea, London. She has just returned from working in Afghanistan with the British forces

Paintings of British forces in Afghanistan, by war artist Arabella Dorman

Slide Show

Comment Central

Tiger Woods

Top 10 Tiger Woods jokes on the internet

Iraq inquiry

A British Royal Marine from 42 Commando fires a Milan wire-guided missile at an Iraqi position on the Al Faw peninsula, southern Iraq, Friday, March 21, 2003.

Sir John Chilcot picks his way through the war

Slide Show

Olaf Schmid Funeral

Christina Schmid, widow of army bomb disposal expert Olaf Schmid

Widow pleads for Britain to find peaceful end to Afghan war

Slide Show

Parent Power

Parent Power

Britain's best schools

The Sunday Times Parent Power: the definitive guide to the UK's best schools

School Gate

The report found that physical violence and aggression by pupils towards teachers is very rare

What should education be for?

Functional skills or a love of learning?

Most Read

Skip Most Read

Today

MOST COMMENTED

Skip Editor's Pick

Today

MOST CURIOUS

Skip Most Curious

Today

Focus Zone

accenture

Need to Know:

Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast

ba business travel clouds

Business Travel:

Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip

Winter Sports

Winter Sports:

Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports

lloyds

Mapping Business:

We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?

Shell

The Future of Energy:

Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge

high-speed trains

Europe by Train:

With rail travel in Europe on the rise, we review the benefits of travelling by train

Dinner party

My Dinner Party:

In this special section we explore new food trends to help improve your dinner party and impress guests

More Reports

More reports:

Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more

previous next
The Singapore skyline pictured at night

Business city guides

Overseas contacts and local business information

Free Credit Advice

Credit crunched? Our Credit Clinic has advice

Generic photo of a job interview.

Free CV Review

Sell yourself! Have your CV reviewed by experts

Money symbol on computer key

Find an IFA

Find a local independent financial advisor

crossword with Cross fountain pen.

Crossword Club

Sign up today or try one of our free demo crosswords

A lawyer with gown and wig

Find a Lawyer

Cut your legal costs

Sudoku

Online Sudoku with daily prizes

Classifieds 

Cars

Skip Cars of the Week

Ferrari F355 F1

1998
£47,955

Virgin Car Insurance

12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09

Apply for car finance?

Check your free Experian credit report before applying


Jobs

Skip Jobs of the Week
LAY MEMBER

£353 per day
Phonepay Plus
London

The Sentencing Council for England and Wales

£12,000 plus expenses
Ministry of Justice
London

Chair of the British Library

£37,000
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London

Member of the BBC Trust

Currently £36,285
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London

Properties

Eager to get on the property ladder?

Find out about shared ownership.

Looking for a Mortgage?

See your free Experian credit report beforehand

Holidays

Skip Travel of the Week

Malaysia Grand Prix with Premier Holidays

Accommodation, flights, tickets to the race and a KL city tour for only £999pp
PremierHolidays.co.uk

Ski Weekend Specialists since 1986

For your ultimate tailor-made ski holiday, click here


Great Travel Insurance

Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com


Fabulous Villas in Barbados

World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club.  Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf

Place your advert now