Well she's still here - news is a bit thin on the re-floating front - probably due to the many organisations that have to give agreement before operations can begin.
That big blue tug is the Maersk Advancer and is currently supporting the various tasks required to get the pumps into place - at the time of this post, she's just gone back to Portland but will no doubt be back on scene later.
Stuart Line Cruises still advertising boat trips for next week!
Could the refloating be a disaster to the area?
In many parts of the world there are ships being sunk to provide artificial reefs for divers and an increase in the marine life in a region. Would this be a good end for this unfortunate ship and one that would provide an income for a lot of people for a long time to come.
Having the ship removed might be killing the golden goose?
Latest info is that attempts to refloat the MSC Napoli will commence during early hours of Monday (9th July) morning.
Once afloat, the vessel will be held in position by attending tugs until a final decision is made as to her fate.
There is concern of continuing damage to her hull if she is allowed to remain in her grounded state.
The Jurassic NIMBYS can now start their rejoicing!
Roger wrote: Could the refloating be a disaster to the area? In many parts of the world there are ships being sunk to provide artificial reefs for divers and an increase in the marine life in a region. Would this be a good end for this unfortunate ship and one that would provide an income for a lot of people for a long time to come. Having the ship removed might be killing the golden goose?
I tend to agree with you Roger - ships have also been sunk in Taiwan to provide very effective breakwaters!
If taken out a little way to deeper water and sunk she would be a veritable haven for all sorts of marine life within a couple of years.
She has been a golden egg for sure for tourism in this area - and has spawned a very good local beer as well.
Visual sightings and photographs of the vessel, whilst grounded, clearly showed that she was hogging - this is when the bow and stern section were both pointing in a downward direction around the "hinge" point just for'ard of the accommodation.
Watching her swing on her anchor, from Sidmouth seafront yesterday, it could be clearly seen that she is now sagging - bow and stern sections are now pointing upward!
She's hurting - her back is probably broken. I think she'll be here for a while!
The JNs had better busy themselves with their hanging baskets of bizzie lizzies for the forseeable future!!!
I have heard that there are plans to re-beach her even closer than before! Possibly on this evenings high tide or tomorrow!
Well she's back and settled again!
The Folkies can get start writing their songs and shanties for our entertainment!
Hmmmm - if the Spring Tides don't do the trick tonight they are thinking of blowing her up!
Keep yer heads down mateys.............
There will be controlled explosions at the wreck site between 1100 and 1700 today.
Second set of charges to be set off at 3.00 pm today - with the weather due to be warm and sunny the seafront at Sidmouth is going to be packed this afternoon!
Why haven't any of the shops got any "Napoli mugs" or similar items on sale? They just haven't got a clue!
They'd rather just sit under their hanging baskets moaning about the devastation to the tourist trade!!
The second set of explosions occurred at 2.04 pm - an hour early than previously expected - she's still in one piece although there will be a bit of pressure put on by the tugs now.
The seafront was crowded and there was more of a police presence compared to yesterday. I noticed a media film crew on the beach pointing a camera lense down towards a small globule of oil on the shingle - no doubt this footage will be used to intensify the disaster story on tonight's news! I actually think it is the same glob of oil that was filmed yesterday.
Well she's hanging in there!
It looks as though they're going to take a breather with the bangs and concentrate on twisting her apart with the tugs today (Thursday). If there are no significant developments by Friday then expect another big bang during Friday afternoon.
For those readers that think cutting gear should be used instead of explosives then just consider this:-
It is far too dangerous to climb in between the twisted metal with acetalyne torches - the explosives being used are termed cutting explosives and they do just that! The human operator is well away from the work area! This is an extremely precision method.
For those of you that have seen television reports of deserted beaches at Beer and oil at Sidmouth - just consider this:-
Its been raining a lot during the past month or so hasn't it? Thats why they managed to get footage of empty deckchairs! I watched film crews spend 2 hours to find a glob of oil on Sidmouth beach - then that glob was filmed and used by two different film crews on two different days.
Its about time the press and media accurately report the news and stop manipulating it! Look whats happened to the BBC!!
Dear Readers,
If you have any taken pictures or video clips of the MSC Napoli and its effects on the local area we would love to see them!
There is a now a special MSC Napoli Readers Photo gallery, whch can be viewed at:
http://www.devon24.co.uk/flatfiles/readerspics/napoli.aspx
Email pictures (.jpg or .gif format) and video clips ( .avi or .wmv) to the web editor, at: sally.fairbrother@archant.co.uk
Well it looks as though the third set of explosive charges has done the job.
Branscombe International Container Port now has two vessels using it's facilities - MSC Nap and Sailing Vessel Oli !!
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