The MSC Napoli was a large cargo container ship which was beached close to Branscombe on the Jurassic Coast on 18th January 2007. The disaster hit international headlines because  hundreds of people were attracted to the local area to scavenge for items that were being washed up such as motorcycles, car parts and shampoo bottles. The situation intensified as local police were unsure as to whether this constituted stealing or safekeeping. In addition local people were literally stuck in their homes as their small village was gridlocked with traffic and people carrying things off the beaches. In terms of environmental pollution, beaches along the Jurassic Coast were littered with items washed out from the cargo.  This included packets of oil-covered biscuits which attracted sea birds who then fell ill after ingesting the oil. A mass effort was launched to clean the beaches and rescue oil-covered birds. Today the beaches around Branscombe are back to normal, but remanants from the cargo containers are still being washed onshore after heavy winter storms.  

Classroom Pack (Key Stage 2, Geography)

• MSC Napoli Scheme of Work (54.00 Kb)

• Media Recount Conventions (23.50 Kb)

• Media Recount Annotated Sheet (29.50 Kb)

• Media Recount Example Sheet (20.50 Kb)

• MSC Napoli Disaster: Factsheet (29.50 Kb)

• Daily Echo Press Headline (329.50 Kb)

• Western Daily Press Headline (349.50 Kb)

• MSC Napoli: Stimulus Photographs (329.00 Kb)

These teaching and learning materials are provided courtesy of David Weatherly, Adviser for Geography and Education for Sustainable Development, Education and Learning Development Partnership , Devon County Council.