Plans to refloat stricken ship

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The vessel was beached in the World Heritage coast off Branscombe Bay in January this year after a storm damaged her hull.

During the incident around 100 containers fell into the sea and some were washed up along the Devon coast.

The story then made worldwide headlines when scavengers opened the containers and made off with everything from BMW motorbikes to nappies.

Thousands of birds along the Devon and Dorset coasts were also soaked in oil spilling from the ship.

Now, after months spent unloading the remaining 2,300 containers from the 62,000 tonne ship, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the refloating operation is due to begin at high tide.

An MCA spokesman said: "Late last week, a decision to refloat the MSC Napoli in a holding position just off the beach at Branscombe early Monday was made by the Secretary of State's Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention, Robin Middleton, after the reviewing the condition of the ship and the 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.

"Once afloat, the vessel will then be held off Branscombe Beach in its current position awaiting a decision on its final disposal."

It is estimated that it will take about six hours to pump out the 58,000 tons of water from the beached vessel. A fair weather window of about three days is required to complete the re-floating operation.