The MSC NAPOLI was built as a container vessel in 1991 at the Samsung Shipyard, Geoje, as Yard Number 1082.
The vessel was on a voyage from Antwerp to Sines with containers when in bad weather, in the Western Approaches, she got into difficulties. Under tow she was turned round and towed eastwards. The ultimate decision was to beach her at Branscombe, between Sidmouth and Lyme Regis, in Lyme Bay, due to cracks appearing in the hull. The stricken vessel could be seen from the top of the Weston Cliffs, just east of Sidmouth.
Facts and figures:
GT 53409 DWT 62277 draught 13.52m.
LOA 275.66m beam 38.1m.
She had a maximum intake of 4734 teus.
In 1991 she was built as the CGM Normandie, being renamed Nedlloyd Normandie in 1995, and CMA CGA Normandie in 2001.
In 2004 the vessel took the name MSC Napoli, under the GBI flag, with port of registry as London. All were time charter names with the various companies e.g. CMA CGA, Nedlloyd and then MSC.
Her registered owners are Metvale (BVI), and managers Zodiac Maritime Agencies.
A few containers dropped over the side in bad weather and were washed up on the shoreline close to Branscombe, as the marine authorities contined to get the containers off one by one on to a flat barge moored alongside. Eventually all the fuel oil and slops were recovered and the containers all taken away to Portland.
The vessel was split in two in July 2007 with charges of explosives placed where the cracks were, f'd of the bridge.
The f'd part was towed safely away from the aft part and made ready to be removed from Lyme Bay. Tenders were put out for its removal and in August it was towed to the Harland and Wolff Shipyard, in Belfast, for breaking.
The aft end, including the accomodation, has slowly been cut up with the scrap steel taken away to Portland by barge. In September salvage operations were suspended until Spring 2009. 2,800 tonnes of aft section have been removed, but the remaining section is heavily constructed, and difficult to dismantle.
The engine itself weighs approx 1200 tonnes and there is also approx 3000 tonnes of silt/clay trapped inside the remaining part of the hull adding further weight to the structure. Two flat top barges are now in situ (30-5-2009) and during the summer the remainder of the hull will be cut up and eventually taken away.
One of the anchors from the vessel was presented to the people of Branscombe and East Devon by the ship's owners Metvale Ltd. It was unveiled on the 16th July 2008.
The FLINTERBAY (NLD) 2474gt/ b 2004 arrived from Rotterdam and moored alongside one of the barges over the stern end remains of the MSC Napoli at Weston at 0700/ 20th June 2009. Discharge of heavy chain was completed mid-morning and the vessel departed for orders, anchoring in Labrador Bay circa 12 noon, same day.
The EST (LTV) 996gt/ b 87 arrived from Rotterdam to moor alongside the pontoon barges with some more equipment, on the 28th June, and departed the same day.
Work continues as in the photos posted 8-7-2009.
The whole clear up was completed on 30th July 2009.
Notes final 31-7-2009. |
