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Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Kelvin Davies on July 09, 2007, 05:53:20 AM

Title: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Kelvin Davies on July 09, 2007, 05:53:20 AM
Today, 9 July, attempts are to be made to refloat the MSC Napoli.
The MCA is making use of a window in the weather to get divers down to make a thorough assessment of damage to the hull and to get the ship off the beach.
If they are successful, they plan to keep the Napoli moored in Branscombe Bay until a final decision is made on the ship's disposal.
BBC story here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6282296.stm
Kelvin
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: jnrawdon on July 09, 2007, 09:04:18 AM
1000hrs, BBC reported that she has been refloated
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Alan Smillie on July 09, 2007, 09:30:23 AM
Been watch also Sky News live reports of the "MSC Napoli" refloating operation, looking very good.
Noticed on Lloyds MIU AIS system that the vessels on location are :- Union Beaver, Smit Bronco, Smit Bever, RT Magic & Maersk Advancer.

Regards Alan.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Timsen on July 09, 2007, 11:22:56 AM
The ship is floating free and has been anchored in 500 metres distance to the grounding position for inspections.
News on bbc.co.uk.
photos of the salvage on
http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/image_galleries/napoli_refloat_gallery.shtml?1
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Alan Smillie on July 09, 2007, 12:16:22 PM
Also larger sized pictures at the MCA site

Maritime Coastguard Agency. "digital image library" (https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/press/album173)

Regards Alan.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Timsen on July 10, 2007, 09:29:58 AM
Divers were preparing to survey the damaged hull of the container ship MSC NAPOLI which was refloated six months after she was grounded off holiday beaches.The MSC Napoli is now floating at anchor over a mile off Sidmouth on the east Devon World Heritage Coast. The team of 20 underwater experts are due to begin a days-long inspection of the vessel to assess her structural integrity. Before this temporary repairs were carried out to cracks in the sides of the hull. But a crack on the bottom of the hull will now be assessed by the experts. The MSC Napoli will be stabilised before the diving teams begin their work, and their findings will help towards a decision for the final disposal of the vessel. The operation followed the removal
of the last of the containers from the Napoli's water filled holds on May 24. A battery of 37 huge pumps on July 9 began pumping 58,000 tonnes of water out of the vessel at low water - 7am. At 9.08 am the vessel was floating once again, and by 10.20am the salvage tug "Maersk Advancer" had towed the Napoli 500 metres into deeper water to lay at anchor. Anti-pollution vessels dispersed a small amount of oil - understood to be around two tonnes- that leaked from the vessel during the operation.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Glenn Kasner on July 11, 2007, 08:59:44 AM
I have just seen some close ups of the Napoli - they dont look good. Not much chance of her being repaired so I guess its another one destined to become razor blades.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Derell Licht on July 11, 2007, 02:24:06 PM
"Anti-pollution vessels dispersed a small amount of oil - understood to be around two tonnes- that leaked from the vessel during the operation."

This is something I just don't understand; they've been skimming oil in all the accessible spaces in that ship now, for *months*, in calm seas.  WHY is there that much oil still loose in her?? :-?

I wonder if that was all trapped in the mud under her??
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: force4 on July 11, 2007, 05:07:04 PM
the union beaver did a small amount of dispersant laying for a very small spill of about 500 litres of light sheen and 200 litres of heavier crude that came from the boat as she was refloated - it was a non event in the scale of the operation - certainly not 2 tonnes of oil - im involved....

as more info goes public i will be able to expand a bit on the info - but expect some news before Friday that will see a major change.......  :-?
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: ng1 on July 12, 2007, 03:21:38 PM
The MCGA has announced the Napoli will be re-beached in shallower waters on this afternoon's high tide.  Cracks in the hull were found to be over 3m wide and as such it has been determined the vessel is incapable of being towed.

How will they get rid of it?  Can you cut up a ship of this size in the same way the Tricolor was disposed of?  Presumably a big pay day for the salvors.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Guest on July 12, 2007, 03:43:27 PM
Quote

ng1 wrote:
The MCGA has announced the Napoli will be re-beached in shallower waters on this afternoon's high tide.  Cracks in the hull were found to be over 3m wide and as such it has been determined the vessel is incapable of being towed.

How will they get rid of it?  Can you cut up a ship of this size in the same way the Tricolor was disposed of?  Presumably a big pay day for the salvors.


Hi ng1

From what I understand the options were either to tow it to Scandinavia for demolition or tow it out to sea and scuttle it in the deep - looks like it will be the latter then  :-?

Regards

Steve Ellwood
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: ng1 on July 12, 2007, 04:10:01 PM
Steve,

That is what I thought but the decision to re-beach at high tide futher north (i.e. inshore) and shollower water than she was beached before - especially as it is currently spring tides - suggests they don't plan to move her again.  If scuttling was the option would you not just tow her out without the risking the additional hull stress created by beaching and refloating causing further structural weakening?
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Guest on July 12, 2007, 04:25:07 PM
Quote

ng1 wrote:
Steve,

That is what I thought but the decision to re-beach at high tide futher north (i.e. inshore) and shollower water than she was beached before - especially as it is currently spring tides - suggests they don't plan to move her again.  If scuttling was the option would you not just tow her out without the risking the additional hull stress created by beaching and refloating causing further structural weakening?


Hi ng1

In light of the following Press Release you may well be correct in suggesting that the only way out is to demolish her on the beach - touches of Alang here!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has released the following information to media:

Press Notice No: 226_0712 July 2007

MSC NAPOLI TO BE BEACHED ON HIGH TIDE LATE THIS AFTERNOON

The Secretary of State
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Ship's Cat on July 12, 2007, 06:12:55 PM
According to this BBC report, the crack extends right round the hull and the ship is practically in two bits:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6895899.stm

Personally I hope she isn't just sunk, because it would be a waste of steel. Being scrapped in situ is the most likely option because of the sensitive location and because recycling is the most sensible - in my opinion - option.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: force4 on July 12, 2007, 08:00:41 PM
The crack does extend from 1 mtr below deck height all around - starboard side is worse - where you can see into engine room, crack is 2 mtr in front of accomodation block ..... best option - pull the front off from the split- tow away - cut up accomodation block in situ - if the environmentalists let the job go ahead without interuption then it could all be gone within a couple of months - but if people start playing silly buggers and hold up the job then whop knows......
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Brian Cawkwell on July 13, 2007, 02:45:33 PM
Hi force4
Do you think this could end up like the Tricolor in th English channel, where they cut the ship into sections using a giant saw type of rope ?

it was also same as when they cut the bow of the russian submarine off the main sub(correct me if Iam wrong)

Regards Cawky
PS please keep the info coming ,it is good to read such comments
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: force4 on July 13, 2007, 03:34:32 PM
cawky,

highly likely to be cut using same methods as sub and tric - i was involved with the tric as well.

from the split in its current location - the most sensible option would be to cut and tow the bow section away - actually would makea good barge..

The accomodation block tho is the problem as that in itself weighs over 700 tonnes - the biggest issue is cutting/timing/security/location etc.

Se was pulled closer to shore on the top of the tide last night and is in its final resting place - pending approvals to dismantle...

not much more to say at present - till work programme can be divulged... will say as much as i can without breaking any rules :-)
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Timsen on July 13, 2007, 06:37:57 PM
Attempts are being made to break the stricken container ship MSC Napoli in two in Branscombe Bay in Devon. The vessel was rebeached at high tide on July 12 and is now lying just a short distance from where she has been stranded for the past six months. Salvors have been working overnight to remove ballast in an attempt to facilitate a controlled break-up of the vessel by causing the hull to sag. If the operation works it would leave the bow section afloat which could then be towed away and the stern would sink to the seabed and eventually be removed.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Nathan on July 13, 2007, 08:39:43 PM
I HOPE THEY PUT IT BACK INTO SERVICE, I MEEN HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A SHIP AGROUND WHICH HAVE EVER BEEN BACK ONTO THE FLEET?
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Richard Matterson on July 13, 2007, 08:48:28 PM
That's half its problem already, the MSC Napoli ran aground in 2001 when named CMA CGM Normandie and was then rebuilt.

27 Mar 2001: Struck and stranded on Helen Mar Reef, in the Malacca Strait 01 07.12N 103 46.36E, approximately 6nm from Singapore whilst attempting to overtake another vessel. 22 Apr 2001: Refloated and towed to Tanjung Pelepas. Drydocked at Singapore for inspection. Towed into shipyard at Nha Trang 6 Jun 2001 for repairs, repairs at the Hyundai Vinashin Shipyard in Vietnam involved some 3,000 tonnes of steel renewal.. Sailed 22 Oct 2001.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Mats on July 13, 2007, 09:15:15 PM
Some updated pics of "MSC Napoli" showing her sagging significantly HERE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dankitwood/).

Best regards
Mats
Oslo
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Ship's Cat on July 14, 2007, 08:09:23 PM
It sounds a bit soft, I know, but the shiplover in me hates to see a ship being deliberately torn in two. It seems 'wrong' to do this. More prosaically, I am more concerned about the leaking fuel as more birds have been affected and the birdlife in the area has already declined by a third, according to the RSPB.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: force4 on July 15, 2007, 08:12:50 AM
always a shame - but i can assure you there is no way of repairing this ship in situ - by far the most sensible decision would be to cut thro the deck at its current break point - tow the bow away - there should be very little remaining pollutant in the ship - and maybe 1 or 2 birds may get a bit mucky but no where near an amount that gets any where close to be be news worthy....

I am working on the ship and the RSPB figures are wholly inacurate, tons of wildlife - and when we cannot work either due to tide or weather we are fishing - and catching heaps, mackeral, bass, dogfish, sea bream...

and as for the guillimots, gulls and puffins - they are all there....

As far as wrecks go this is certainly one of the cleanest to wildlife i have been involved with, lots of agencies all meet regularly to ensure feedback and constructive debate is aired... butwe do like to deal with FACTS not the press trying to make somethng look worse than what it is, purely because of the unique nature of the event for the UK
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Guest on July 16, 2007, 06:22:20 PM
Hi All

Found this rather surprisng news on the BBC Web Site:

"Beached Napoli may be blown apart

Explosives could be used to break up a container ship stranded off the coast of east Devon.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is in talks with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) about using explosive charges on the MSC Napoli.

An MCA spokesman told BBC News it was a serious option being considered to separate two parts of the hull.

Attempts to flex and break the hull during the spring tide on Monday have not been successful.

Discussions are taking place between Marine Salvage Operations and the MCA about using the small explosives charges in a controlled operation to help break the hull.

The Napoli was deliberately grounded in January after it was damaged in storms.

It was refloated last week, but the results of a diving survey revealed the hull was severely damaged and the decision was taken to beach it again on Thursday.


The MCA and salvors want to break up the wreck and remove it from the beach.

People have been warned to stay out of the water between Seaton and Branscombe following some oil pollution from the Napoli.

An East Devon District Council spokesperson said: "The beaches themselves are still very much open, people just need to take care in the water."

The MCA described the pollution as "minimal" and said the fuel was residual pollution left over from the tanks being pumped out.

A number of oil-covered birds have been rescued.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/6900988.stm

Published: 2007/07/16 12:56:02 GMT

Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Glenn Kasner on July 16, 2007, 08:54:12 PM
a controlled explosion should do the trick. Not as huge as the one we used on the Jolly Rubino. That was for a different purpose though.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Brian Cawkwell on July 16, 2007, 09:01:49 PM
Quote

kasner wrote:
a controlled explosion should do the trick. Not as huge as the one we used on the Jolly Rubino. That was for a different purpose though.


Hi kasner,
Hopefully not as big as the last one in this country, it was before my time and it was on a ship called:-

The Torey Canyon

My spelling might be wrong ,but I am sure some other members know the correct name and the amount of explosives used !!!!!!

Please reply with the correct of amo used  :-D  :-D

Regards Cawky
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Guest on July 16, 2007, 09:12:01 PM
Quote

cawky wrote:
Hopefully not as big as the last one in this country, it was before my time and it was on a ship called:-

The Torey Canyon

My spelling might be wrong ,but I am sure some other members know the correct name and the amount of explosives used !!!!!!

Please reply with the correct of amo used  :-D  :-D

Regards Cawky


Hi Cawkey

It was the Torrey Canyon and a full report of the attempt to set it on fire can be seen on the BBC web site @
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/march/29/newsid_2819000/2819369.stm

"The RAF and the Royal Navy have dropped 62,000lbs of bombs, 5,200 gallons of petrol, 11 rockets and large quantities of napalm onto the ship"

Regards

Steve Ellwood
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Brian Cawkwell on July 16, 2007, 10:27:14 PM
Thanks for the correct information Steve,
I do not think they will use that much "gear"
There will be nothing left of the beautiful Devon coast !!!
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: albert van emden on July 16, 2007, 10:43:31 PM
Things are getting def the dramatic way in this.This is def the end of the largest containervessel ''stranded'' and consequently given up sofar.This might set the pass for the coming years in case of simular problems with the even much larger full containervessels floating arround now,like the latest Maersk ones now........In case of an emergency age of a vessel doesn't prevent it from poss going down.Have the strong feeling that the construction of these latest generation vessels will bring us to some surprising facts in the years to come and that's not ment the positive way...... :cry:
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Ian Thomas on July 17, 2007, 07:38:26 AM
What a sad end for the MSC NAPOLI after all this time, will she be broken-up where she is or will the two sections be towed away for scrap.

Ian Thomas
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Bruce Sutherland on July 17, 2007, 01:13:31 PM
Just seen on the BBC News that they set off the first of the charges, cracks now seem bigger but no dramatic separation etc.
Title: Re: MSC Napoli to be refloated (maybe)
Post by: Guest on July 17, 2007, 03:22:47 PM
Quote

BruceS wrote:
Just seen on the BBC News that they set off the first of the charges, cracks now seem bigger but no dramatic separation etc.


Hi Bruce

Nice piece of video of the initial explosions now on the BBC News Web site@
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6901922.stm

Regards

Steve Ellwood