Maritime and Coastguard Agency
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Napoli removal begins

Napoli removal begins

MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY News Release (167/09) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 29 May 2009

The operation to finally remove the remaining section of the 'MSC Napoli' is now underway.

Earlier this year the salvor Global Response Maritime successfully positioned 12 lifting chains under the wreck and is now making preparations to lift the remaining hull section to the surface for demolition and recycling.

Two barges rigged with heavy mobile cranes have already arrived on site. The lifting chains will then be connected to the two lifting barges.

It is anticipated that the wreck will be removed from the site by the end of August 2009. A temporary exclusion zone (TEZ) of 500 metres around the wreck remains in place.

Hugh Shaw, Secretary of States Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP) said

"The two 140 metre barges have heavy mobile cranes and a series of 24 chain-pullers which have already been installed. On arrival the lifting chains already in position will be connected to the chain-pullers. The two lifting barges will be moored parallel to 'Napoli's' stern and when preparations for the main lift are complete, the barges will be ballasted down to compensate for the forces acting on the pullers and reduce movement in the swell.

"Weather permitting a test lift may take place on 2 or 3 June. If successful, lifting and cutting will then commence. MCA aerial surveillance flights will continue to patrol the area on a routine basis.

"The contract includes the total removal of the stern, including the main engine, together with delivery of all scrap to the recycling facility of Scheepssloperij Nederland at Gravendeel in the Netherlands. However I will not give sign off to the project until a final underwater inspection and demobilisation of equipment has been completed."

General beach maintenance was returned to the Local Authorities in October 2008.

Notes to Editors

The MCA is a partner in the Sea Vision UK campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the sea and maritime activities. Sea Vision promotes the importance and economic value of the sector and works to highlight the exciting range of activities and career opportunities available to young people within the UK growing maritime sector. http://www.seavisionuk.org

For further information please contact
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on:
(023) 8032 9401

Press releases and further information about the Agency is available on the Web at http://www.mcga.gov.uk

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