“MSC Napoli” crew safe, stricken vessel under tow

“MSC Napoli” crew safe, stricken vessel under tow

“MSC Napoli” crew safe, stricken vessel under tow

All 26 crew from the British registered containership, “MSC Napoli,” have been rescued by a French naval helicopter after the ship yesterday lost power and suffered hull damage amid severe weather conditions in the English Channel.
   The mixed nationality crew of the 'MSC Napoli' included two British cadets as well as crew from Bulgaria, the Ukraine, Turkey, India and the Philippines.
   An inspection of the 4,427-TEU vessel has revealed two vertical cracks in the hull and there are reports of an oil slick developing at the scene, about 45 miles southeast of Lizard Point in Cornwall, England.
   The 1992-built ship, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co. on charter from Zodiac Maritime between North Europe and South Africa via the Canary Islands, was carrying 2,394 containers, with only a small proportion believed to contain hazardous cargo including insecticides and pesticides.
   A salvage contract has been awarded to a consortium of Klyne tugs, Smit International and Les Abeilles, and the vessel is now being towed to safety in U.K. waters.