BEACHCOMBERS were today warned to stay away from any containers washed ashore from the grounded container ship MSC Napoli by worsening weather.

Robin Middleton, the Secretary of State's Representative in Maritime Salvage and Intervention, said: "Aerial surveillance flights continue and these reconnaissance missions will also help us pinpoint any missing containers.

"Security officers are on standby in the various locations to identify and secure any containers that may come ashore on behalf of the Receiver of Wreck.

"It is vital that members of the public do not approach any container or touch any contents but inform the appropriate authorities immediately."

  • The two barges salvaging containers from the Napoli are sheltering in Portland Port due to bad weather.

The vessels, including the giant crane barge Big Foot, are taking a break from work because of an expected heavy swell due to sweep across Lyme Bay, said a spokesman for Portland Coastguard.

More than 240 of the Napoli's 2,394 containers have been unloaded at the port with the rest expected to take several months.

The ship was due to arrive at Portland on January 20 but was deliberately beached near Sidmouth amid fears it was breaking up and would sink in deep water. Meanwhile, water samples taken from Dorset beaches remain clear of pollution, according to the Environment Agency.