Dorset councils have pledged support following the beaching of stricken container vessel MSC Napoli on the East Devon coast on Saturday.

The vessel has shed numerous containers into the sea, many of which are washing up on the Devon and Dorset coast as tides carry them to shore.

Around 103 of the ship's containers have now gone overboard, 3 or 4 of which contain hazardous materials and 76 of which have now been accounted for. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is leading the operation to salvage the vessel and its contents.

Dorset County Council and the coastal district/borough councils in West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland and Purbeck are supporting the MCA in providing a ‘spotting' service for reporting containers of goods which wash up on the shore. The coastguard will place stickers on containers which have been investigated.

West Dorset District council is also placing public information signs at the approaches to West Dorset beaches. 

All councils are working with representatives of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Police, the Environment Agency and other local authorities to help co-ordinate the response to the situation.

Members of the public have been ringing councils to report items on the beaches and to offer their help and support. 

However, the current advice to the public is that they should stay clear of containers, debris or oil that is washed up on the beach and report it to the coastguard office on 01305 760439.

A sheen of lighter oil from the vessel is floating on the surface of the water in Lyme Bay but poses no immediate threat to the coastline. The vessel is currently being prepped for the heavier oil to be heated and removed starting tomorrow (Tuesday).

A barge with two large cranes will arrive within the week to help offload cargo which is still on the Napoli.

Dorset County Council Leader Councillor Angus Campbell said: "Our emergency planning team has been involved from the beginning of this incident in support of Devon County Council and the MCA. We now have plans for helping to deal with debris as it reaches our coastline and are working with all local agencies as the situation unfolds.

"The situation is changing hour-by-hour and we are obviously concerned about the possible effects any pollution from the ship could have on our World Heritage coastline. We are doing everything we can to support our partner agencies, the ship's owners and the clean-up contractors."

Issued by:

Melissa Wheeler, Communications Officer

Tel: 01305 224491

Fax: 01305 224431

Email: m.wheeler@dorsetcc.gov.uk