Crews To Remove Fuel from Listing Container Ship
Oil and other toxic materials leaking from the ship threatened Sidmouth and Branscombe beaches, part of 95 miles of coast designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of the rich fossil beds found along the shore. Small fishing ports along the Devon and Dorset coast rely on the tourist trade to survive.
At least 200 containers went overboard, including three carrying toxic materials such as battery acid and perfume. Tony Redding of Zodiac Maritime Agencies, manager of the stricken MSC Napoli, said that some oil had leaked from the ship but the main tanks were secure. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said some birds affected by oil had been rescued. Booms were placed in the River Axe and River Brid to prevent fuel getting into the fresh water system. Source: AP