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Nappy days on the Devon coast as ship's cargo is washed up (Pic: PA)
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A public beach where cargo from a stricken ship was washed up was being closed to the public today to stop more goods being taken by beachcombers.
Devon and Cornwall Police said people were flooding to the east Devon coast where the MSC Napoli, which has structural faults following a storm in the Channel last week, was grounded a mile off Sidmouth at the weekend.
Over the last two days, hundreds of scavengers have swarmed over Branscombe Beach, taking goods from around 40 containers washed ashore from the 62,000-tonne container ship.
A police spokesman said: "The plan is to shut the beach.
"It is still open at the moment, but under a maritime authority we can close the beach in order for the receivers to clean up and get the goods that have been washed up."
Beachcombers could be arrested if they carry cargo from a container ship off the beach where it was washed up.
The Acting Receiver of Wreck, Mark Rodaway, said today: "It potentially could be the bottom line.
"People could be arrested as a last resort if they take goods away."
The Napoli's 26 crew were rescued from a lifeboat last Thursday and the vessel was under tow to Portland, Dorset, when it was decided to ground her as she was in danger of going down.
There are still more than 2,000 containers on board the listing vessel, 103 of which have been washed overboard.
Mr Rodaway said today that he wanted members of the public to stay off the beach as heavy equipment was being brought in to clear the debris and there could be a risk.
Dozens of people were going into the surf in gale force winds to break open containers which were still sealed. Their actions were adding to a "challenging environmental situation" which the authorities were keen to start to improve today, said Mr Rodaway.
Anyone recovering items should fill in a form from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency which should be returned to the Receiver within 28 days.
Mr Rodaway said he had asked Devon and Cornwall Police to ensure that items washed up on the beach were delivered to him there.
Last night MCA spokesman Mark Clark said the actions of the beachcombers was like a scene from Mad Max, and had quadrupled the scale of the clean-up task.
Copyright Press Association 2007.
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