Divers inspect refloated Napoli

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The 62,000 tonne MSC Napoli has been floating at anchor in deep water since Monday morning over a mile off Sidmouth on the east Devon World Heritage Coast.

The underwater experts are to undertake a days-long inspection of the vessel to assess her structural integrity ahead of a decision on her future.

Temporary repairs were carried out to cracks in the sides of her hull while her cargo of more than 2,300 containers was removed over several months.

But a crack on the bottom of the hull - unable to be accessed while she was on the seabed - will now be assessed by the experts.

The refloating operation - which pumped 58,000 tonnes of water from the ship - followed the removal of the last of the containers from the Napoli's water-filled holds on May 24.

A battery of 37 huge pumps began removing 58,000 tonnes of water from the vessel at low water on Monday - 7am - and she floated at 9.08am.

Anti-pollution vessels dispersed a small amount of oil - understood to be around two tonnes- that leaked from the ship during the operation.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency head of counter pollution response Toby Stone said the refloating "has been a success story without a doubt".

The Napoli was deliberately grounded on a seabed shelf on January 20 amid fears she could sink after her hull cracked in a Channel storm off Cornwall two days earlier.