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"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"

 

"Crack'n On The Sidmouth"

Or

Can M/V MSC Napoli Survive?

On The Scene In The English Channel

Feature Date: Jan. 21 to Aug.18 2007

Event Date: January 18 2007

-- CONTINUING COVERAGE --

Countryman & McDaniel

 The Air & Ocean Logistics- Customs Broker Attorneys

International Trade Consultants

"Overlooking Runway 25 - Right, at Los Angeles International Airport"

On The Scene -- In The English Channel

 A 2007 Countryman & McDaniel

Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender

M/V MSC Napoli Index - Current To August 7 2007

Page 1 - below
Go Directly To The Feature Top - Jan. 18 2007 to Jan. 29 2007

A Circus Begins In The Midst of Loss - Jan. 22, 2007 - Let The Flea Market Begin?

A STOP To The Circus - A Vessel Fades - Jan. 23, 2007 - -- Let The Flea Market STOP! IT IS A CRIME.

Salvage Considerations -- Jan. 24, 2007 - Removing The Bunkers & New Container Count

The Salvage Plan Emerges - Jan. 25 2007 -- Crane Barges On Route

The Impact Begins To Emerge - Jan. 26 2007 -- VW Plant Shuts Down

Fuel Being Removed & Barges Arriving - Jan. 27 2007 -- Bigfoot & Boa Barge 21 Expected

BIg Foot Arrives - Jan. 28 2007 -- Bigfoot Arrives -- 30 Experts On Board

Container Operations Begin - Jan. 29 2007 -- But There Are Problems

1st Salvage Collision- Jan. 30 2007 -- Container Removal Operations Could Take 5 Months

Page 2 M/V MSC Napoli - Jan. 30 To May 17 - Daily On-Scene Commentary - Container Removal Operations

Page 3 M/V MSC Napoli - Feb. 6 2007 - Presentation To The EU Parliament - Casualty Management Issues

Page 4 M/V MSC Napoli - May 18 To July 22 - Vessel Refloating Operations

18 May 2007 - All Containers Removed!

9 June 2007 - Refloating Has Begun!

8 June 2007 - Aerial Survey

8 July 2007 - Refloating Tomorrow?

9 July 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli Is Refloated - Our Air Force Is Grounded!

13 July 2007 pm - The Dream Is Lost? Grounded Again!

15 July 2007 pm - The Dream Is Lost! THE LADY WILL BE CUT IN TWO.

18 July 2007 - Even Dynamite Can't Kill M/V MSC Napoli

20 July 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli In Two

Page 5 M/V MSC Napoli - July 20-23 -The Death of M/V MSC Napoli - The Blast

25 July 2007 - Two Points of View 

7 Aug. 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli In The Afterlife

18 Aug. 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli - Her End

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Other Great Disasters of our Time

The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss

"Ship-To-Shore-Onto Ship" - Nov. 2007

"Den Den Done" - M/V Denden - Sept. 2007

"For The "L" of It" - M/V Action Alpha - August 2007

"Pepito Flores Did Not Need To Die " - OUR INVESTIGATION RESULTS

"Stack Attack!" - M/V Ital Florida - July 2007

"Riding Down The Marquis" - M/V Rickmars Dalian - June2007

"Carrying Coal To Newcastle" - M/V Pasha Bulker - June 2007

"Between A Yacht & A Hard Place" M/V Madame Butterfly - May 2007

"Boxing Up The Rhine" M/V Excelsior - April 2007

"Best Worst Laid Plans?" M/V Republica di Genoa - March 2007

"Crack'n On The Sidmouth" - M/V MSC Napoli - Jan. 2007 - Disaster In Real Time

"Operation Jumbo Drop" - M/V Jumbo Challenger - March 2007

"Wrong Way Agulhas?" - M/V Safmarine Agulhas - Jan. 2007

"Full Speed Ahead" - M/V Alva Star - Nov. 2006

"Where The Trade Winds Blew" - Oct. 2006

"Full Speed Ahead!" - M/V Alva Star - Nov. 2006

"Maersk Montevideo Melee!" - M/V Leda Maersk - Oct. 2006

"Laying Down On The Job" - M/V Cougar Ace -- Aug. 2006 -- Amazing !

"Vine Ripened Tires" - M/V Saga Spray -- May 2006 -- Amazing !

"Mis-Fortune" - M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006

"Scheldt Snafu!" - M/V Grande Nigeria - Feb. 2006

"A Day A The Beach - M/V APL Panama - Jan. 2006

"NO Rails" - destruction of New Orleans - Dec. 2005

"Backhaul !" - for July 2005

"The Boeing Tri-Motor" - for April 2005

"Catch of The Day" - for March 2005

"One Brick Short of A Runway" - for Jan. 2005

M/T Vicuna Explodes - for Jan. 2005

"Unstacked" - overboard & Dr. Beach - Nov. 2004

"Coal Face" - the cargo was danger - July 2004

"Super Loss" - March 2004

"On A Wing & A Prayer" - Jan. 2004

"Stepping In It" - Dec. 2003

"Angel Fire" - Nov. 2003

"Broken Spirit" - M/V Tasman Spirit - Aug. 2003

"Denise & Polargo" - a love story - July 2003

"Columbia River Round Up" - June 2003

"Singles Only" -- Our One Photo Disasters

"Keel Hualed" - M/V Hual Europe - May 2003

"Thrice Bitten" -- M/V Tricolor - Jan. 2003

"Ramp-Age" - Feb. 2003

"Piñata" - breaking the box - Jan. 2003

"Halifax Hash"--M/V Maersk Carolina - Jan. 2003

"Thar She Blows!" - M/V Hanjin Pennsylvania - Nov. 2002

"T-E-U Bar-Be-Cue" - aftermath of the Pennsylvania

"Container Pool" - a mystery - May 2002

"Strangers On My Flight" -- by Frank Sinatra - don't blame us - we only report this stuff!

"Dropping In On The Trucker" - it happened again - April 2002

"UNDER Achiever" - tell your friends ! - March 2002

Tell It To The U.S. Marines! - A Symbol of Our Day of Infamy - Sept. 11

Heavy Metal - lifting the un-liftable object - Disaster at Monrovia July 2001

Rail Mate -- an Egyptian rail loss - Tragedy At Ain Sokhna July 2001

Meals: Ready To Explode - Navy container barbecue at Guam! June 2001

America West Kisses Concrete M/V Ville De Orion - stack shift at LAX

U.S. Navy EP- 3 -- China Hostage Situation - Spring 2001

Attack On USS Cole (DDG-67) - - Dramatic Photos!

M/V OOCL America - Feb. 2000

M/V APL China - world's greatest container disaster - Nov. 1998

M/V New Carissa - the ship that would not die - 1999

M/V Tampa Maersk "on a dock diet"

Hanjin's Bad Stab - Under The Dock At Pusan, Korea - Exclusive Photo!

The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss

 

"Crack'n On The Sidmouth"

On The Scene

In The English Channel

The Death of M/V MSC Napoli?

A Cargo Nightmare Prize Contender

The Date: January 18 2007

The Time: Morning

The Place: In The English Channel

 

M/V MSC Napoli In Better Days

EX-M/V CGM Normandie

Vessel Name - MSC Napoli

EX-CGM Normandie

Type of Vessel - Container (NONTANK)

Built: Jan. 1991

Flag - United Kingdom

Owner - Zodiac Maritimme Ltd.

Charter - MSC Line

Nominal TEU - 4,960

Crew: 26

IMO No. - 9000601

Overall Length -275.67 meters

Width - 37.18 meters

Displacement - D.W.T - 81,841 tons

Gross ITC Tonnage -53,409 tons

Net Tonnage - 21,088 tons

Speed - 24 knots in ballast

The Prolog To Disaster -- Operations In The English Channel
 

PROLOG >> In 2006 We All Experienced "REAL TIME" Adventures On the Beach In Mexico With M/V APL Panama, Until She Floated Free Again.

Then We Held Our Collective Breath As M/V Cougar Ace Was Finally Righted & Saved In The North Pacific -- Albeit With The Tragic Death of Mr. Martin Johnson.

These Were Both True Incidents of Drama -- How Would They End?

Now M/V MSC Napoli Struggles Off The South West Tip of England. How Will This End? She's Crack'n In Half.

How Will THe Saga of M/V MSC Napoli End?

Below Is An Exciting Tale -- Eight Months In The Making..... On The Sidmouth.

Michael S. McDaniel - Your Editor
 

M/V MSC Napoli At Sea

MSC NAPOLI
Zodiac Maritime -- Owners of MSC Napoli

PRESS RELEASE - Jan. 18 2006

"The MSC Napoli is a 1991 built 4734 TEU full cellular container ship managed by Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd. of London. The vessel sailed from Antwerp on Wednesday 17th January bound for Sines, Portugal carrying 2,394 containers. At 10.30 yesterday morning, the crew on board the MSC Napoli, sent a distress signal when in the very poor weather and sea conditions encountered in Northern Europe the vessel began to take on water through a sudden and unexpected longitudinal crack on her starboard side shell plating in way of engine room. Her crew had to abandon ship and we would like to express our public thanks and appreciation to the emergency services of the French and the U.K Coast Guards for their prompt and effective intervention.

The crew were landed safely by the courageous and efficient actions of the Royal Navy and are all well. The crew have been accommodated and arrangements are in hand to repatriate them home to their families. We operate one of the world's largest and most modern fleets. We and the vessel's owners were shocked and surprised by the incident, which is so far unexplained. Together with our insurers, we will leave no stone unturned in pursuing a full and vigorous investigation into the events that gave rise to the casualty. We are cooperating fully with both the U.K and French Authorities. The vessel is currently being salved by leading international salvors. On behalf of the shipowners we again express our appreciation to the Royal Navy at Culdrose and the French and the United Kingdom Coast Guards for all their efforts."

Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd., Lynton House, 7-12 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9TP

M/V MSC Napoli Deliberately Run Aground --

-- In Waters Close To Sidmouth, SW England In Lyme Bay.

26 Crew Rescued By Royal Air Force ...

..... In Rough Seas, 70km Off Lizard Point On England's SW Tip.

Crack'n In Half On The Sidmouth

 

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 18 2007 -- Container Vessel In Jeopardy
900 ft., 62,000-ton British container ship, M/V Napoli (built 1991), enroute to Le Have and Sines, took on water after developing hole on starboard side in gale-force 9 conditions --in 40ft seas and 70mph winds --as it made its way through the English Channel, 50 miles off the Lizard in Cornwall. The 26 crew abandoned ship without injuries. Two helicopters from RNAS Culdrose airlifted the crew to safety after the vessel made a distres call. M/V Napoli is stable and towing vessel M/V Anglian Princess is on scene. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Thurs. Jan.18 2007)

M/V MSC Napoli -Crack In Her Hull

Will She Break In Two?

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 20 2007 -- Container Vessel In Jeopardy
ALERT>> M/V MSC Napoli -- now aground & in danger of breaking in half 1 mile off the Dorset coast at Branscombe in Lyme Bay. Attempted to tow the vessel to Portland harbor Jan. 19 night, but the stern started to break away in the gale and they were forced to beach the ship. Unfortunatly she is beached in a very exposed location and is likely to break up in the next storm. Smit's are going to try and remove the cargo of 2.300 plus containers. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Sat. Jan.20 2007)

M/V MSC Napoli Abandoned By Her Crew In Violent Storms

26 Crew Rescued By The Royal Navy -- 771 Naval Air Squadron ......

..... In Rough Seas, 70km Off Lizard Point On England's SW Tip.

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 20 2007 -- Container Vessel In Jeopardy
UPDATE>>

French vessel M/V Argonaught has put a boom in place to receive up to 1,500 tons of M/V MSC Napoli's bunkers -- M/V Black Rock is also due to begin offloading oil.

Primary tow was by French tug Abeilles Bourbon, with British Coastguard (MCA) tug Anglian Princess escorting.

British Coastguard tug Anglian Princess has gone to Portland to pick up further salvage gear, including pumps.

British Coastguard (MCA) advising that a Temporary Danger Area has been set up around the vessel extending to a range of 3 miles and 2,000ft. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Sat. Jan.20 2007)

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 21 2007 -- Container Vessel In Jeopardy
UPDATE>> 62,277dwt. British-flagged M/V MSC Napoli, Belgium for Portugal with 2,394 containers- abandoned by her crew during violent storms in the English Channel, will run be aground on the southern English coast to stop it sinking, the UK Coastguard said Jan. 20 -- with wide cracks on both sides & listing heavily she will be beached on the Devon coast at Lyme Bay & containers taken off. Vessel was carrying 160 tons of nickel, the equivalent to nearly 20% of the total amount of nickel held in London Metal Exchange warehouses -- 66% of world nickel output is used to make stainless steel & demand has bolstered nickel prices. On Jan. 19, nickel <MNI3> for delivery in 3 months closed at an all-time high of US$36,300 a ton, moving up from around US$13,500 at the start of 2006. On Jan. 18, nickel was last indicated at US$35,400/35,500.. So far 50 containers have fallen over side. Conditions are critical. McD (Sun. Jan.21 2007)
 

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 21 PM 2007 -- Container Vessel In Jeopardy
UPDATE>> The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has confirmed about 158 of the M/V MSC Napoli's 2,400 containers have gone over side near Sidmouth, Devon -- 2 of these laden with dangerous materials -- perfume, battery acid & car parts. Oil has also leaked onto the shore. MCA said teams worked through the night trying to secure the ship but in severe weather conditions it continued to roll dislodging the containers. Coastguard & police have been searching the shore line and so far 40 containers have been found -- but others could be up to 6 miles at sea. During the night oil has also leaked from a crack on the port side. Officials fear the vessel may capsize. Oil has been seen at Beer Head & there are reports of 2 sea birds contaminated with oil. McD (Sun. Jan.21 2007pm)
 

M/V MSC Napoli - Cracking In Two

 

French Tug Abeilles Bourbon, With British Coastguard (MCA) Tug Anglian Princess Escorting.

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 22 2007 -- Container Vessel In Jeopardy
UPDATE>> Coastguard officials hope to begin pumping 3,500 tons of oil from the stricken M/V MSC Napoli to prevent more fuel leaking into the sea, as some 200 tons of oil have already leaked from the cargo vessel, which is beached off the Devon coast -- ship suffered structural damage during Jan. 18 storms & deliberately beached off Branscombe to stop it sinking in deep waters -- she is sharply listing & there are fears it could capsize and break up at any time. A sheen of oil 8km (5 miles) long is now on the sea surface. Despite warning to stay away from the containers dozens of people reportedly spent the night "salvaging" thousands of pounds worth of goods on the shoreline. Believed 200 tons is close to the maximum that will leak out of the ship's engine room. Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 it is an offence for people to remove items from a wreck if they conceal or keep possession of cargo and refuse to surrender it. M/V MSC Napoli previously ran aground off Singapore in the Strait of Malacca in 2001 as Ex-M/V CMA-CGM Normandie. McD (Mon. Jan.22 2007)

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 22 2007 PM -- Let The Flea Market Begin?

UK police are patrolling beaches in Devon where members of the public have been taking goods washed ashore from stricken container M/V MSC Napoli.

Hundreds of people have made off with valuable hauls from some 40 containers which drifted onto Branscombe Beach. Police have warned them they are breaking the law if they fail to declare taking any of the ship's cargo. The coastguard said it may take a week to pump 3,500 tons of oil from the ship to stop more leaks into the sea. UK Branscombe Police officers have been patrolling the beach to prevent unopened containers from being broken into and have closed all roads leading into the village. They were also handing out forms so people could report what they had taken to the "Receiver of Wreck." This must be done within 28 days, otherwise they are committing an offence.

A couple of hundred people were on the beach Jan. 20 night with the same number again scavenging on Jan 21. Around 50 BMW motorbikes were carried off the beach last night. "It took about 8 to 10 of us to lift each one out. As each one came out the front wheels were put on, then they were taken down to the beach and over the cliffs," one scavenger said. Other products taken away included exhaust pipes, steering wheels & beauty cream.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has reported that 600 seabirds had been found suffering from the effects of oil between Chesil Beach and Portland in Dorset, sparking fears environmental damage was worsening.

M/V MSC Napoli which is grounded a mile out at sea, had also shed containers holding a 4x4 vehicle, ladies' shoes, Bibles in a foreign language & nappies. About 200 of the vessel's 2,323 containers have gone overboard, 158 of which are classed as having potentially hazardous contents. Some containers have drifted as far E. as West Bay in Dorset, say Solent coastguards. Meanwhile, up to 200 tons of oil from the engine room, mixed with water, has leaked from the cargo vessel. But officials said the fuel contained in the ship's tanks, which have not been punctured, was their main concern. The operation to remove the heavy fuel oil could last up to a week. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Mon. Jan.22 2007)

From Our Readers --Jan. 22 2007

"It's a pedantic point, but the crew of M/V MSC Napoli were not rescued by the Royal Air Force but by the Royal Navy's 771 Naval Air Squadron at Culdrose RNAS. The photo of the rescue on your site actually shows a Sea King helicopter marked ROYAL NAVY, so why there are multiple mentions of the RAF I dunno."
Alexander Harrowell - UK

 M/V MSC Napoli Between The Rock & The Hard Place.

Her Hull Is Failing - She Is Parting Into Two Sections - She Has Lost Over 200 Containers Overside.

She Still Carries Over 2,000 Containers - Many of Her Containers Are Laden With HAZMAT.

 M/V MSC Napoli Is About To Capsize.

Please Let Us Know of A More Desperate Situation In Your Memory.

Of The 200 Containers Overside -- Some 40 Containers Have Crashed On Branscombe Beach, Sidmouth.

These Containers Were Laden With The Merchant Dreams of Compainies -- Big & Small.

NOTE: There Is A Vehicle In The Container To The Left -- Likely Not New, But Highly Valuable.

 But A True Circus Has Begun --

This Is No Flea Market --

Forget The Loss of The Other Guy --

Scavengers Begin To Swarm Lawful Cargo of M/V MSC Napoli.

 There Is No Ringmaster- But A Circus Nonetheless.

Here Are Just Onlookers.

The Scanvenger Flea Market Includes This Knitting Yarn -- As Well As --

Motorcycles, Perfume, Exhaust Pipes, Steering Wheels, Beauty Cream & Even Bibles.

 Meanwhile M/V MSC Napoli Hangs On -- Against All Odds Jan. 22 2007 --

-- Millions of Dollars Worth of Cargo -- Professional Careers In The Balance --

-- But Some Humans Think Only of Themselves --Not The Great Investment of Others.

M/V MSC Napoli Struggles To Survive Her Mission Duty of Safe Cargo Delivery --

-- While SCAVENGERS Do Their Worst.

Under These Conditions -- This Is Stealing BMW Motorcycles.

Folks, There Is No "Doctrine of Unattended Cargo" That Provides Salvage Rights For This Cargo.

This Is Like Finding An Unlocked Bicycle On Your Street.

This Is Not Abandoned Cargo -- Just Cargo In Peril -- With A Known Owner. McD

We Hope That This "Thrill of Loot" Will Give Way To Public Spirit - For Return of This Stolen Cargo.

If Not -- We Understand There Will Be Arrests. UK Police Are Taking Action. These Are Looters.

The Fate of M/V MSC Napoli Appears Clearly On Jan. 23 2007.

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 23 2007 PM -- Let The Flea Market STOP! IT IS A CRIME.

The "despicable" behavior of scavengers has forced the authorities to invoke ancient legislation to stop looters raiding cargo on a Devon beach. Powers not used for 100 years will be used to force people to return goods recovered from the stricken M/V MSC Napoli. Separate laws will also be used to ban the public from Branscombe Beach. The police said organized gangs were targeting the beach and were behind some of the worst looting. Over the last 2 days scavengers have descended on the beach, taking away goods that included BMW motorbikes, wine, face cream & nappies. Officers closed roads to the beach to deter treasure-seekers and to allow contractors to start the clear-up operation, which is expected to begin at 0700 GMT on Jan 24. That meant people had to walk several miles to the beach but that did not deter about 200 scavengers who were rummaging through the cargo.

People invaded East Devon beaches to remove cargo from the containers which had been washed up. They trampled over gardens and verges, and brought large vehicles and roughly constructed stretchers through villages in order to take away cargo ranging from nappies & empty barrels to BMW motorbikes. In addition, containers which held peoples personal possessions were looted & their property discarded on the beach. These activities have caused damage estimated to be 800 % more significant than the damage caused by the incident itself.

The Steel Scavenger Fence: The number of scavengers dwindled later after the beach was sealed off by a 100ft-long metal fence. Dutch salvage company Smit Salvage who has erected the fence across the main area of Branscombe Beach has started to bring in diggers, dumper trucks & cutting equipment. From Jan. 24, the area will become a work site & there will be no public access to the beach, with access to the village restricted to residents. This will be rigorously enforced by police & MCA Coastguards.

Mark Rodaway, the Acting "Receiver of Wreck", said the "despicable" behavior of scavengers had persuaded him that special powers dating back to the Merchant Shipping Act 1854 were needed to force people to return goods. "Personal belongings, not goods for sale, were being rifled through & strewn on the beach. "I would ask anyone to reflect quietly on how they would feel if that was their belongings. "From what I witnessed it was clear that there was no intent to store safely or record goods with the appropriate authorities, as such we will be utilising legislation available to prevent people removing more goods and if necessary using the law to prosecute people through the courts."

Under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, it is an offence for people to remove items from a wreck if they conceal or keep possession of cargo & refuse to surrender it. People must fill out a form to tell the authorities what they have removed and they must store it for 28 days in case the owners want it back. But some of the items plundered from the container ship have already been listed on the internet auction website eBay. BMW steering wheel airbags - advertised as coming from the Napoli - were up for sale online.

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it may take a week to pump 3,500 metric tons of oil to stop more leaks from the ship. And it may take up to a year to lift the 2,318 containers on the vessel & recover those that have fallen to the bottom of the sea.

Dutch salvage company Smit, a contractor for the ship's owners, managed to plug a leak in one of the ship's smaller fuel tanks. They welded metal plates over afissure which had released 60 tons of engine oil off the coast, 95 miles of which is designated by UNESCO as a "World Heritage Site." None of the slick has yet reached the shore, although more than 900 seabirds have been coated by oil and will likely die, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Smit is using specially heated tubes to suck the viscous oil into nearby tanker, M/V Forth Fisher. The process is expected to last through the weekend. Once the fuel is removed, two crane-equipped barges will arrive to pluck the ship's 2,291 containers off the deck one by one, and ferry them toward their final destination. Work will continue for the next week to transfer all of the oil from the vessel. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Tues. Jan.23 2007)  

 M/V MSC Napoli With Flooded Engine Room -- Is Settling By The Stern

M/V MSC Napoi Has Eclipsed Her Ability To Remain Viable.

Smit Salvage Faces A Great & Immediate Challenge --

-- To Save M/V MSC Napoi & Her Cargo

Branscombe Beach -- On The Sidmouth --

The 100 Foot Steel Fence & A Police Presence Has Stopped The Scavenger Circus.

Now -- Can Smit Salvage Save The Vessel?

We Think Smit Salvage Can -- But Only With Luck.

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 24 2007 PM -- Removing The Bunkers & Container Count

M/V MSC Napoli UPDATE>> Operations to pump oil from M/V MSC Napoli now well underway. Salvors have been pumping oil from the vessel at a rate of 30 tons per hour. The operation began again Jan. 24morning. By midday today over 275 tons had been removed from portside Tank #6 & preparations underway to start pumping oil from portside Tank #5. This will start later today. The process of pumping oil is an uncomfortable & challenging one. Salvors are working in extremely difficult conditions, for example having to climb through small manholes in the deck, wearing breathing apparatus to insert hoses and move them about within the structure of the tank in order to suck out the oil. The salvors must rest for health & safety reasons, therefore they are unable to work between midnight and first light. However a 2nd crew are en route and it is hoped that 24hr pumping will be achieved.

Jan. 23 -- 5 tons of oil leaked from an air pipe from the vessel which has now been plugged. This was boomed & sprayed with dispersant and has now dissipated. 990 seabirds have been reported as being washed up on the shore; of these 354 have been taken for treatment at RSPB Centers. The River Brid and Axe have been boomed to help prevent oil entering. Other rivers may need to be boomed if tidal and wind conditions change. The weather forecast over the next 3 days is favorable for the oil recovery operations with 17 -18 knot north to north-easterly winds. The number of containers lost from the ship still stands at 103. Of these 50 have been positively identified on the shore -- 20 are still afloat & will be recovered by boat -- 33 are unaccounted for and are presumed sunk. The owners of the ship have charted a vessel to locate the sunken containers using sonar. A fixed wing aircraft has flown over the shipping lanes to ensure that there are no containers which could be problematic to shipping. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Wed. Jan.24 2007)

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 25 2007 -- The Real Plan Begins To Emerge

M/V MSC Napoli UPDATE>> Former owner of the container ship M/V MSC Napoli, French company CMA CGM has issued a very short but clear statement rejecting suggestions of a link between the ship's 2001 grounding off Singapore and the structural damage it suffered in the English Channel last week. The statement says: "The CMA CGM Normandie, renamed MSC Napoli, was in a perfect state of repair when sold to the company Zodiac in 2002. The parallel drawn by some between the damage suffered by the MSC Napoli off the Coast of Devon and the grounding of the vessel in 2001 is technically unfounded."

Meanwhile Owners Zodiac Maritime Agencies, which describes itself as manager of the MSC Napoli, confirmed that pumping of fuel from the vessel commencedJan. 24 afternoon. The fuel is being transferred from the beached vessel to a small tanker, M/V Forth Fisher was deployed from Falmouth by SMIT Salvage, the salvage contractor for this operation.

A statement From Zodiac Maritime Agencies Says:

"Two barges will arrive on scene later in the week to undertake the discharge of containers from the MSC Napoli. The large barge Bigfoot, equipped with two cranes -- 500 tons lift capacity & 250 tons lift capacity will departing Rotterdam Jan. 25. Bigfoot is expected to arrive off Branscombe during late Jan. 26 or early Jan. 27 morning. Its role is to lift off containers and place them on board the 2nd barge, arriving from Rouen tonight. This barge will land the containers." Yesterday saw the arrival off Branscombe of the salvage vessel M/V Union Beaver, which will act as a floating base for the SMIT Salvage team. The statement added: "Weather conditions at the scene remain favourable for the salvage operation, with winds from the north. The vessel is located in a relatively sheltered position." -- Zodiac Maritime Agencies

From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Thurs. Jan.25 2007)

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 26 2007 -- The ImpactBegins To Emerge -- VW Plant Shuts Down

M/V MSC Napoli UPDATE>> Volkswagen South Africa is to stop production at its plant near Port Elizabeth every Friday for at least the next 4 weeks after vehicle parts needed for four car models were lost on the stricken M/V MSC Napoli. The move is expected to affect about 66% of VW's 6,500 workforce in South Africa, a spokesman said. Among other sectors hit are the wine trade, with looters taking a number of oak barrels from containers lying on Branscombe beach, and the metals industry as 160 tonnes of nickel was en route to Columbus Stainless, the South African steel manufacturer. BMW South Africa confirmed it had 39 motorbikes and back up vehicle parts on board the Napoli. Meanwhile, salvors continue to pump bunker fuel from the vessel's tanks. Early this morning 1,500 tons had been transferred into M/V Forth Fisheralongside. Removal of all the oil is expected to take another week. Work to take off containers begins at the weekend when the cargo discharge barge Bigfoot joins the smaller "shuttle barge" Boa Barge 21. It is now estimated that 60-100 tons of oil were lost from the ship's engine room: pollution is said to be sporadic and light and "limited to a 4-mile (6.4-km) stretch of coastline"-- 56 of the 103 container lost overboard have now been accounted for -- vessel with sidescan sonar is searching for the others. (Fri. Jan.26 2007)

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 27 2007 -- Fuel Being Removed & Barges Expected

Over 33% of the vessel's fuel has now been removed from the M/V MSC Napoli. Pumping continues round-the-clock. By 05.00 hrs Jan. 26 1,470 tonnes had been transferred to the lightering tanker M/T Forth Fisher.

M/V MSC Napoli has 4 main fuel tanks and 2 smaller tanks. The oil removal currently focuses on fuel tanks No. 6 & No. 5, portside. Due to the vessel's list, the 2 main starboard fuel tanks are under water and will be more difficult to reach. For this reason a special "hot-tap" system has been prepared, to penetrate the submerged tanks and recover the oil. At least another week will be required to recover all fuel.

Meanwhile, preparations are well advanced to begin the discharge of containers from M/V MSC Napoli during the weekend. The large cargo discharge barge Bigfoot, equipped with 2 cranes (500 tons lift capacity & 250 tons lift capacity), is expected to arrive off Branscombe during this evening. Its role is to lift off containers and place them on board the second barge, Boa Barge 21, which is already on site. This "shuttle barge" will land the discharged containers at Portland.

There are 2 priorities for container discharge: to recover those containers designed for carriage of chemicals and, secondly, to lighten the vessel and so reduce stresses on the hull. The discharge operation will commence at the stern, with the big barge moored to form the cross of a "T" with M/V MSC Napoli. This will position the barge well clear of M/T Forth Fisher, which is moored to the portside.

The salvage team confirms that the vessel's main fuel tanks remain intact. There is a limited release of oil from the vessel's engineroom and it remains boomed as a precautionary measure. The total oil loss is estimated at around 60-100 tonnes, with oiling sporadic and light and limited to a 4 mile stretch of shoreline. This oil is being removed manually.

Offshore, the personnel working on M/V MSC Napoli are using the salvage vessel M/V Union Beaver as a floating base. Temporary repairs are under way on board M/V MSC Napoli. The salvage team is using special resin to fill cracks and pumps are being used to remove water from cargo holds 3 & 4. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Sat. Jan.27 2007)

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 28 2007 -- Fuel Being Removed & Big Foot Is Here

A team of 30 salvors are onboard. The hull continues to settle at approx 10cm a day. Pumping of bunkers has removed most of the bunkers from both #5 port & #6 port. Some 1830 tones of bunkers (out of 3,512) had been transferred to the reception vessel M/T Forth Fisher. This includes some water due to using skimming pumps. Half of the fuel oil on board M/V MSC Napoli has therefore now been removed. M/V MSC Napoli has 4 main fuel tanks & 2 smaller tanks. Due to the vessel's starboard list (which has reduced to 16 deg. at High Water and 13 deg. at Low Water), the 2 main starboard fuel tanks are submerged. Work is continuing therefore to remove that oil from those starboard side bunker tanks.

An over-flight by the MCA coastguard surveillance aircraft this morning showed that there were 3 "patches" of oil in the water and a sheen around the ship. It is highly likely that sheen will remain around the vessel for some time to come. Foam was sighted at the stern of the vessel but this from the high pressure water pumps being used.

No containers were lost from vessel today. Count remains at 56 containers on beach 47 presumed sunken -- 5 containers to the W.of Branscombe have been dismantled. A 30 ton caterpillar digger has been landed & a 20 ton digger will be landed as soon as possible. The side-scan sonar vessel M/V Exploreer has commenced her detection programme for submerged containers.

The crane barge BIG FOOT has arrived and has laid ground anchors in order to close the stern of the casualty & commence removing containers from the after part of the vessel -- hoped that the 1st container will be lifted off later today. These containers are to be landed at Portland by a 2nd, shuttle barge.

The removal of containers will be progressed in such a way as to reduce stresses on M/V MSC Napoli's hull.  Initially, the discharge operation will concentrate on containers at the stern of the ship. The big barge is moored to form the cross of a "T" with M/V MSC Napoli's stern, well clear of tanker M/T Forth Fisher - which is moored to the portside.

From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Sat. Jan.27 2007)

Exclusion Zones At Sea Continue In Effect. Natural England & MCA Require You To :

Stay off the closed beaches. These are marked with hazard warning or beach closed signs.

If you are on a beach near Branscombe or in west Dorset, keep your dog on a lead & children under close control

If you do get oil on yourself follow the public health advice. (We understand this to be that you could remove the oil with baby oil or cooking oil before washing. Also that if you get a headache or feel dizzy this may be due to the presence of oil - move away from the source of any fumes).

If your pet gets oiled seek appropriate veterinary advice. Be aware that they may consume the oil by licking as well as getting it on their skin and both may have adverse effects.

Do not fish on closed beaches. We understand that spilt fuel oil may cause taint (a slight taste of oil) in fish.

Please take this opportunity to explore parts of the beautiful Devon & Dorset countryside away from the coast!

From The Cargo Letter - Jan. 29 2007 -- Container Removal Operations Begin -- With Problems

The first container was taken of the NAPOLI at 11.15am Jan. 29.

The operation to unload the containers from the grounded container M/V MSC Napoli began on Jan 29. Two large cranes were being moved into position off the Devon coast to start removing items from the stricken ship. However, the operation failed to go ahead on Jan. 28 after a mooring cable snapped on a barge carrying a crane. The cable will have to be fixed before the operation can go ahead and a question mark remains over whether any containers will be removed on Jan 29. A team of about 20 salvage operators will be involved, some of them divers, who will go into the ship which has been flooded with water and oil. The vessel is at an acute angle with crushed containers and spilling goods. People have to get on those containers & secure heavy chains so it's a very dangerous job. The salvage operation could take about 5 months as the team are working at a protected World Heritage Site. French officials are checking to see if oil washed up on beaches in Brittany came from the ship.

Container removal could take months. From our Sr. Correspondent Tim Schwabedissen. (Sat. Jan.27 2007)

EDITOR NOTE>> Truly A Tragedy. M/V MSC Napoli is said to be "hogging," but the experts are on scene.

McD

From Our Reader - Jan. 29 2007 -- What if This Had Been A Rail Disaster or Plane Crash ?

It is sad to see the scenes of 'looting' on the beach at Branscombe. It makes you wonder if those 'thieves' and 'looters' would be the same people who would have scrambled through the belongings etc, at the site of a major rail disaster or plane crash ?

As an ex-Fisheries Officer with responsibility for this area I find it hard that Devon & Cornwall Police could not have stopped the behaviour on the beach much quicker. Branscombe has limited access through the village which could have easily been controlled. If resources were limited then I am sure the Royal Marines from the nearby Lympstone training camp would have only been too willing to assist in protecting the beach, possibly treating it as an 'exercise'.

With regard to the 'clean-up', would it not have been wise to offer the task with some form of payment to all the local inshore fishermen from that area, whose very livelihoods are at risk if the pollution situation deteriorates or containers are scattered around their fishing grounds.

J.Cole - United Kin

EDITOR NOTE>> The proper term for this is "looting."


Readers Note: This Feature Has Now Moved Forward To 4 Pages:

Page 1 M/V MSC Napoli - Initial Reports (above)

Page 2 M/V MSC Napoli - Jan. 30 To May 17 - Daily On-Scene Commentary - Container Removal Operations

Page 3 M/V MSC Napoli - Feb. 6 2007 - Presentation To The EU Parliament - Casualty Management Issues

Page 4 M/V MSC Napoli - May 18 To July 22 - Vessel Refloating Operations

18 May 2007 - All Containers Removed!

9 June 2007 - Refloating Has Begun!

8 June 2007 - Aerial Survey

8 July 2007 - Refloating Tomorrow?

9 July 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli Is Refloated - Our Air Force Is Grounded!

13 July 2007 pm - The Dream Is Lost? Grounded Again!

15 July 2007 pm - The Dream Is Lost! THE LADY WILL BE CUT IN TWO.

18 July 2007 - Even Dynamite Can't Kill M/V MSC Napoli

20 July 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli In Two

Page 5 M/V MSC Napoli - July 20-23 -The Death of M/V MSC Napoli - The Blast

25 July 2007 - Two Points of View 

7 Aug. 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli In The Afterlife

18 Aug. 2007 - M/V MSC Napoli - Her End

McD

Shippers Must Have Quality Marine Cargo Insurance ........ Because......... "Ship Happens! ©"

If We Have Ever Provided A Cautionary Tale In Support of Cargo Insurance -- This Is It!

To Repeat -- No Matter How Careful You Are -- Or Who You Hire ....... "Ship Happens! ©"

 

"Ship Happens! ©"


The Dedication of This Feature Is Simple: To The Crew of M/V MSC Napoli and her families.


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs brokerIt's dangerous out there.


INDEX TO OUR "Crack'n On The Sidmouth" PAGE SPECIAL FEATURES:

The Owners
Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd

The Operators

Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC Line)

The Salvors

Smit Salvage
Smit Salvage Operations For M/V Safmarine Agulhas - the salvors history

The Underwriters

The International Group of P&I Clubs

The Royal Navy

771 Naval Air Squadron

History of The 771 Naval Air Squadron

Royal Navy Fleet Arm

Maritime & Coastguard Agency

English Channel

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

The Environment

Natural Egland - working to save M/V MSC Napoli & the coast

Our Daily Vessel Casualties - stay informed

Other Ocean Related Features From The Cargo Letter- these are just examples

The Cargo Letter Photo Gallery of Transport Loss - For All The Air & Ocean Features - a few examples below

"For The "L" of It" - M/V Action Alpha - August 2007

"Wrong Way Agulhas?" - M/V Safmarine Agulhas - Jan. 2007

"Full Speed Ahead" - M/V Alva Star - Nov. 2006

"Where The Trade Winds Blew" - Oct. 2006

"Maersk Montevideo Melee!" - M/V Leda Maersk - Oct. 2006

"Laying Down On The Job" - M/V Cargo Ace - Aug. 2006 The Marty Johnson Project Continues

"A Day A The Beach - M/V APL Panama - Jan. 2006

"Great Misfortune"- M/V Hyundai Fortune - March 2006

"Unstacked - Overboard With Dr. Beach" - Oct. 2004

"Columbia River Round Up" - June 2003

"Halifax Hash"--M/V Maersk Carolina - Jan. 2003

"Piñata" - breaking the box - Jan. 2003

"T-E-U Bar-Be-Cue" - aftermath of the M/V Pennsylvania Loss - Nov. 2002

"Container Pool" - a mystery - May 2002

"Dropping In On The Trucker" -happened again - April 2002

"Meals: Ready To Explode" - Navy Barbecue at Guam June 2001

"M/V Ville D' Orion" - Bad L.A. Stack Disaster! April 2001 -- UPDATED - May 2002

"Pier Review" - Sept. 2001

"Singles Only" - visit our individual moments of transport crisis for more.

The Greatest Container Losses Of All Time - these are the grand fathers -

M/V OOCL America

M/V APL China


SPECIAL NOTE: The historic dangers of carriage by sea continue to be quite real. Shippers must be encouraged to purchase high quality marine cargo insurance from their freight forwarder or customs broker. 

It's very dangerous out there.

Thanks To Our Contributors For The"Crack'n On The Sidmouth" Feature

Our Contributors for this feature are:
Anonymous photo contributors who wish to be anonymous*

Ashley Black - our Cargo Law Correspondent

Dan Bryan -- Dan Bryan Photography - UK

Bellamysboots - Denis

A. L. Griffiths -- our Cargo Law Correspondent

Tony Griffiths Air Photographer

Nic Gray - Shift Manager, Thamesport (London) Ltd

Gromit

Barry Hannaford

Christopher Hunter

Peter Jowers

E.L. Johnson

Hilde Krause - Roanoke Trade Insurance, San Francisco

Tim Schwabedissen - our Sr. Cargo Law Correspondent

Mark Stewart

Libby Thompson - our Int'l. Cargo Law Correspondent

Paul Tucker -Cargo Law Air Correspondent

Vic Volzone - J D Victor Specialty Advertising Services - Moorestown, NJ

Christoph Wahner. Esq. - our Cargo Law Correspondent

Paul Woolston

The Cargo Letter appreciates the continuing efforts of these valued contributors. Thanks Pals!


NOTE: Please Provide Us With Your Additional Information For This Loss.

EDITOR'S NOTE FOR SURVEYORS, ATTORNEYS & MARINE ADJUSTERS: The Internet edition effort of The Cargo Letter now celebrates it's 8th Year of Service -- making us quite senior in this segment of the industry. We once estimated container underway losses at about 1,500 per year. Lloyd's put that figure at about 10,000 earlier this year. Quite obviously, the reporting mechanism for these massive losses is not supported by the lines. News of these events is not posted to the maritime community. Our new project is to call upon you -- those handling the claims -- to let us know of each container loss at sea-- in confidentiality. Many of you survey on behalf of cargo interests with no need for confidentiality. Others work for the lines & need to be protected. As a respected Int'l publication, The Cargo Letter enjoys full press privileges & cannot be forced to disclose our sources of information. No successful attempt has ever been made. If a personal notation for your report is desired -- each contributor will be given a "hot link" to your company Website in each & every report. Please take moment & report your "overside" containers to us. If you do not wish attribution, your entry will be "anonymous." This will will benefit our industry -- for obvious reasons! McD


* NOTE: The Cargo Letter wants you to know that by keeping the identity of our contributors 100% Confidential, you are able to view our continuing series of "Cargo Disasters." Our friends send us materials which benefit the industry. The materials are provided to our news publication with complete and enforceable confidentiality for the sender. In turn, we provide these materials to you.  

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