Salvors plan to refloat the stranded container ship MSC Napoli next month.
Salvors plan to refloat the stranded container ship MSC Napoli on 2 July. “We will start early in the morning,” said Smit International’s salvage master Jan de Bokx, “within a 24-hour period, hopefully, the vessel should be refloated.”
MSC Napoli was deliberately grounded off Sidmouth on 20 January after major cracks appeared in her hull as she made her way down Channel in heavy weather. She has since been emptied of fuel oil and her cargo of containers, and confidence is high that the 62,200-ton vessel will come up in one piece.
Salvors say that the weather remains a big concern, and the operation will be delayed if conditions are unfavourable. Once the ship has been refloated there remains the problem of what to do with her, and towing her to deep water and scuttling her has not been ruled out.
