MSC Napoli
PML Applications
Ltd collaborated with the Centre for Environment, Fisheries
and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK Government’s Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Maritime and
Coastguard Agency (MCA), following the beaching of the container
vessel MSC Napoli off the East Devon coast after it ran
into difficulties on 18th January
2007.
The cargo ship was transporting nearly 2,500
containers, some of them holding thousands of tonnes of
environmentally hazardous chemicals (e.g. bisphenol-A,
epichlorohydrin-epoxy resin, alkylphenols, dibutyltinoxide, as well
as organic solvents, acids and corrosive materials). A
number of the containers were lost overboard and 200 tonnes of
fuel oil was spilled from the ship’s ruptured tanks, creating a
slick which polluted the surrounding area. A series of
environmental protection measures were implemented by the
Environment Management Group lead by the Environment Agency.
During the subsequent week, PML Applications Ltd mobilised
the R/V Plymouth Quest of Plymouth Marine Laboratory
to evaluate chemical contamination in Lyme Bay to supporting the
monitoring activity and independent evaluation of information
obtained by the Environment Agency. Water column samples (i.e. sea
surface microlayer and subsurface water) and sediment were
collected and processed immediately upon return to the laboratory
to screen for harmful chemicals.
