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Ten years on from MSC Napoli grounding at Branscombe Ten years on from MSC Napoli grounding at Branscombe
(about 9 hours later)
Ten years ago the massive container ship MSC Napoli ran aground in the English Channel.Ten years ago the massive container ship MSC Napoli ran aground in the English Channel.
Motorbikes, pet food, wine barrels and anti-wrinkle cream were among the varied items that washed up on Branscombe beach in Devon.Motorbikes, pet food, wine barrels and anti-wrinkle cream were among the varied items that washed up on Branscombe beach in Devon.
Scavengers arrived in their droves from around the country to explore shipping containers scattered along the coast.Scavengers arrived in their droves from around the country to explore shipping containers scattered along the coast.
Up to 200 tonnes of oil leaked from the ship which had to be broken up with explosives.Up to 200 tonnes of oil leaked from the ship which had to be broken up with explosives.
More on the Napoli grounding, and other news
The storm-damaged 62,000-tonne vessel started taking in water through a hole in its side on 18 January 2007 and the 26-strong crew were airlifted to safety by Royal Navy helicopters.The storm-damaged 62,000-tonne vessel started taking in water through a hole in its side on 18 January 2007 and the 26-strong crew were airlifted to safety by Royal Navy helicopters.
Heroic Rescue
Petty Officer Aircrewman James O'Donnell was awarded the Queen's gallantry medal for his part in rescuing the crew members.
He was winched from an RNAS Culdrose based Royal Navy Search and Rescue helicopter into the sea in extremely rough conditions 46 miles off the Cornish coast.
He then swam through a 40ft swell to MSC Napoli's lifeboat where the crew had gathered and proceeded to attach all 26 to the winch line one at a time.
After one hour and 30 minutes, when they were all safely on board helicopters, he himself was winched up and began giving medical attention to the exhausted crew.
About 200 containers went overboard out of the 2,323 containers being transported from Antwerp to South Africa.About 200 containers went overboard out of the 2,323 containers being transported from Antwerp to South Africa.
As news spread hundreds of people arrived in cars and vans to view the scene, with some scouring the wreckage for free booty.As news spread hundreds of people arrived in cars and vans to view the scene, with some scouring the wreckage for free booty.
The beach was shut by police after the roads leading to it became clogged with visitors.The beach was shut by police after the roads leading to it became clogged with visitors.
Coastguard officials pumped 3,500 tonnes of oil from the vessel to prevent more fuel leaking into the sea.Coastguard officials pumped 3,500 tonnes of oil from the vessel to prevent more fuel leaking into the sea.
The bow section was towed to the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast to go for scrap, while the ship's 13.5 tonne anchor was put on display in Branscombe.The bow section was towed to the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast to go for scrap, while the ship's 13.5 tonne anchor was put on display in Branscombe.
The salvage and wreck removal operations officially ended in July 2009 with an estimated salvage cost of £50m.The salvage and wreck removal operations officially ended in July 2009 with an estimated salvage cost of £50m.