Work begins to refloat MSC Napoli
The stricken container ship MSC Napoli has been refloated, nearly six months after it was grounded off the south Devon coast.
The 62,000 tonne vessel floated free a mile off Sidmouth after 58,000 tonnes of water was pumped from her holds.
The refloating operation began on Monday morning and took just over two hours.
A barge with winches and cranes, along with tugs and an anti-pollution vessel are assisting at sea off Branscombe.
The vessel carrying 2,300 containers was damaged in a storm in January.
More than 100 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, leading to a scavenging and looting spree.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said earlier that if the operation was successful, the Napoli would be held in Branscombe Bay until a decision was made on its future.
A spokesman said the decision had been taken by the Secretary of State's representative, Robin Middleton, after reviewing the condition of the ship and prevailing weather conditions in Lyme Bay.
"The decision to refloat the vessel has been made to prevent further deterioration in the structure of the ship and to prevent further damage to the environment," the spokesman said.
Since the decision was made in January to beach the 62,000 tonne vessel, salvors have worked around the clock to remove all of the containers from the stricken ship.
Approximately 150 of them were classed as having potentially hazardous contents.
Of the 200 that went overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and one small gas bottles for car airbags.
Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts.
The 62,000 tonne vessel floated free a mile off Sidmouth after 58,000 tonnes of water was pumped from her holds.
The refloating operation began on Monday morning and took just over two hours.
A barge with winches and cranes, along with tugs and an anti-pollution vessel are assisting at sea off Branscombe.
The vessel carrying 2,300 containers was damaged in a storm in January.
More than 100 containers went overboard and 58 were washed ashore, leading to a scavenging and looting spree.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said earlier that if the operation was successful, the Napoli would be held in Branscombe Bay until a decision was made on its future.
A spokesman said the decision had been taken by the Secretary of State's representative, Robin Middleton, after reviewing the condition of the ship and prevailing weather conditions in Lyme Bay.
"The decision to refloat the vessel has been made to prevent further deterioration in the structure of the ship and to prevent further damage to the environment," the spokesman said.
Since the decision was made in January to beach the 62,000 tonne vessel, salvors have worked around the clock to remove all of the containers from the stricken ship.
Approximately 150 of them were classed as having potentially hazardous contents.
Of the 200 that went overboard, one contained battery acid and perfumes, and one small gas bottles for car airbags.
Others housed a variety of goods including BMW motorbikes and car parts.