the container ship "msc napoli", whilst on its way to portugal carrying 2,394 containers, of which 158 were classed as hazardous substances, had to be abandoned in the english channel on the 18th. the crew of 26 were picked up by british and french rescue services. the next day the napoli was under tow for repair at portland harbour in dorset, but with forecasts of further high winds it was taken to shelter in lyme bay. the ship had suffered structural damage, including a hole on the starboard side and water flooding and had to be beached in the bay off the east devon coast at branscombe the ship leaked oil, sparking a clean-up operation, and widespread reporting in the national news led to the wreck temporarily becoming a tourist attraction and subject to scavenging from the containers which washed up on the beach. the wreck was subject to a complex break-up operation which was not complete until july 2009.