Link: http://www.iwight.com/home/news/press_details.asp?relID=199

Over 400 bags full of debris from the cargo ship MSC Napoli have been washed ashore on Island beaches over the weekend of 24-25 February.

With more material expected to come ashore, the IW Council, co-ordinating the clean-up, has repeated its appeal to people to stay away from the beaches on the south west stretch of the Island.

Items including BMW first aid kits, boxes of chocolate and biscuits, shampoo and baby food have all been carried from Lyme Bay, Dorset, where the 62,000-tonne ship Napoli went aground and broke up in stormy weather last month.

Follow up:

Much of the debris is covered in engine oil. The oil is attached to the items and not breaking apart. This will mean that removal of the debris will also remove the oil, making the likelihood of long-term contamination relatively low. There is no slick and it is not thought the incident will cause any long-term environmental damage.

The bodies of two unidentified cetaceans have over the weekend been reported in an inaccessible area of coast near to St Catherine's Point. It is not known whether or not these deaths are associated with the Napoli incident and at present all efforts are being directed towards the clean-up, so these carcases will not be inspected immediately.

The oily nature of the debris has not deterred scavengers despite health and safety warnings and the fact there is nothing of value to be found. Contractors have been collecting the flotsam over the weekend, concentrating their efforts at Brook, Hanover Point, Grange Chine and Atherfield. Other material has come ashore at Fort Victoria, Colwell and Totland. Debris is expected to spread across other areas of the Island's coast in the coming days.

Because it is contaminated with oil, the debris will have to be taken to the mainland for disposal. The IW Council will seek to recover the costs of the clearance operation from the owners of the Napoli.