THE NAPOLI INCIDENT

Abstract

ABSTRACT MSC Napoli, a United Kingdom-flagged container ship got in trouble during storms in the English Channel on January 18th 2007, whilst en route from Belgium to Portugal carrying approximately 2300 containers, some of which contained dangerous goods. Severe gale force winds caused serious damage to her hull and flooded the engine room. The 26 Man crew was evacuated and the vessel taken under tow, the vessel'S destination was Portland port near Weymouth. En route to Portland, the vessel condition worsened and a decision was made by the SOSREP (Secretary of State'S representative) to deliberately beach the vessel in Lyme bay to prevent the vessel sinking and becoming a major navigational hazard and pollution catastrophe. To counter any oil release, under direction of the environment group, preventative booming was carried out at the river Axe and the river Brit; four other sites were inspected to check the feasibility of booming. These were the estuaries of the Exe, Otter, Teign, and Sid. Removal of the oil from the ships tanks commenced on January 23rd, this operation was able to take place due to favorable winds from the North and North West. Containment and recovery vessels, as well as a vessel fitted with a dispersant spray system, were on location. This system was used on January 24th, following a release of HFO during the lightering operation. A dispersant protocol had previously been produced which gave set of guidelines and persons to contact prior to any operation. Once given permission, a test spray was carried out and the results observed and reported back. Due to the observed results observed, permission was given to spray the slick. With the risk of containers entering the water, oil containment operations with offshore boom was not possible, but container collection plan was put forward using available vessels and anchoring points, a very different type of recovery operation. The author will recount his onsite experiences gained during his leadership of the operation. The accounts of this incident are the views of the author and OSRL EARL.