MSC Napoli still arriving on Branscombe beach

The East Devon beach of Branscombe is still the stage of a 12 month saga portraying the collapse of a 53, 409 tonne sea going vessel, built in 1991, the MSC Napoli. Many people made great finds. Riches were washed onto this historic beach that expresses prehistoric relics from its core. But it is to an unknown cost to the natural world and the marine environment.

Branscombe is a favourite beach of mine, there is natural beauty. It has produced some great fishing and many other memorable times for me, including watching the Peregrines hunting the shore line. It wasn’t until today that I saw first hand the effect the MSC Napoli has had on the beach. I understand the river Axe was boomed to prevent oil flowing into its tidal reaches, 990 sea birds have been recorded as effected by the 200 tons of oil that seeped into the sea. Dispersant was sprayed onto the oil to dilute and minimize its effect on the local shore line (I would be interested to know the effects of this wonder chemical, but accept it may be better than the oil) and many other procedures have been employed to rid the coast of the boat and her cargo.

Despite the mammoth clear up programme hampered by the weather and political argument the beach is still suffering from the decaying hulk and the almost ham fisted approach in its removal.

Walking only a few hundred yards along the coast towards the decaying hulk, metal shards were found by my self. Not small pieces of metal, but large chunks, one almost 3 yards in length.

I am not attacking the shipping company, I question some of the decisions made by them and the specialist bodies involved later on. But I wonder how this could have been concluded in a better, cleaner, more efficient way, in-keeping with the year’s 2007/8 rather than a less technical period of time, when machinery and scientific knowledge was less. The good will of the local residents has helped clean this beach and that must also not be forgotten. I am also shocked and saddened to learn that help was offered and declined because of modern bureaucracy, blaming health and safety.

I am sure a lot of lessons have been learnt from this disaster. Lets just hope they are remembered and Branscombe soon comes back to its former glory.