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More blasts plan to break up ship More blasts plan to break up ship
(about 2 hours later)
Coastguards believe more explosives will probably have to be detonated on Thursday to split a beached container ship off the Devon coast Coastguards believe more explosives will probably have to be detonated on Friday to split a beached container ship off the Devon coast
Explosions were triggered on the MSC Napoli, off Branscombe, on Tuesday and again at 1404 BST. Explosions were triggered on the MSC Napoli, off Branscombe, on Tuesday and again at 1404 BST on Wednesday.
But an inspection revealed the vessel remained intact, although it was "hanging on by a thread".But an inspection revealed the vessel remained intact, although it was "hanging on by a thread".
Tugs positioned at the bow and stern will continue attempts to pull the container ship apart.Tugs positioned at the bow and stern will continue attempts to pull the container ship apart.
The operation is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Ministry of Defence. (MoD).The operation is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Ministry of Defence. (MoD).
Exclusion zoneExclusion zone
MCA spokesman Paul Coley told BBC News all the explosives had gone off successfully, but more cutting charges would be used on Thursday "in all probability" in a bid to obtain a clean break around the front of the accommodation tower. MCA spokesman Paul Coley told BBC News all the explosives had gone off successfully, but more cutting charges would be used on Friday "in all probability" in a bid to obtain a clean break around the front of the accommodation tower.
The aim is to break the stern section away from the remainder of the vessel along the line of a huge crack running round the hull.The aim is to break the stern section away from the remainder of the vessel along the line of a huge crack running round the hull.
The Napoli has been stranded off Branscombe since it was damaged in a storm in January.The Napoli has been stranded off Branscombe since it was damaged in a storm in January.
An assessment team which went on board the Napoli included the government's representative Robin Middleton.An assessment team which went on board the Napoli included the government's representative Robin Middleton.
Police enforced the exclusion zone for people's safetyPolice enforced the exclusion zone for people's safety
Mr Coley said: "It is still holding together, but very much weaker. It could be hanging on by a thread."Mr Coley said: "It is still holding together, but very much weaker. It could be hanging on by a thread."
Once the forward section of the vessel is separated the plan is to tow it into deeper water and anchor it.Once the forward section of the vessel is separated the plan is to tow it into deeper water and anchor it.
Divers will assess its structure and sites will be identified where it could be towed for recycling - this could be either in Europe or the UK.Divers will assess its structure and sites will be identified where it could be towed for recycling - this could be either in Europe or the UK.
The stern section, including the accommodation block, will be left where it is and will be cut up and recycled. That operation could take about a month.The stern section, including the accommodation block, will be left where it is and will be cut up and recycled. That operation could take about a month.
Mr Coley said the whole operation to salvage the Napoli was a "major disaster averted".Mr Coley said the whole operation to salvage the Napoli was a "major disaster averted".
There are fears more oil pollution could deter holidaymakersThere are fears more oil pollution could deter holidaymakers
An extended exclusion zone on the shore and cliffs at Branscombe was enforced ahead of the explosion, amid fears of debris damage, but the footpaths were later reopened by the police.An extended exclusion zone on the shore and cliffs at Branscombe was enforced ahead of the explosion, amid fears of debris damage, but the footpaths were later reopened by the police.
The 1,000m exclusion zone around the ship remains in place and if the decision is taken to trigger more explosives on Thursday, footpaths will be closed again for the public's safety.The 1,000m exclusion zone around the ship remains in place and if the decision is taken to trigger more explosives on Thursday, footpaths will be closed again for the public's safety.
The MSC Napoli had been en route from Antwerp to South Africa when her 26 crew members abandoned ship and were flown to safety.The MSC Napoli had been en route from Antwerp to South Africa when her 26 crew members abandoned ship and were flown to safety.
The ship was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again on Thursday.The ship was refloated last week but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and it was beached again on Thursday.
Contractors appointed by the vessel's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on beaches.Contractors appointed by the vessel's owners have been dealing with oil which has been coming ashore on beaches.
The pollution has prompted concerns by business leaders that it could lead to some holidaymakers cancelling summer bookings for Devon and Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic coast.The pollution has prompted concerns by business leaders that it could lead to some holidaymakers cancelling summer bookings for Devon and Dorset's World Heritage Jurassic coast.