Unknown event in Devon, Branscombe area, United Kingdom on Tue 21st February 2023

Beer Coastguard Rescue Team shared images of item on social media Coastguard teams were called to a Devon beach over the weekend after a possible ordnance was found. A local search and rescue team, based in East Devon, were tasked to investigate the item on Branscombe beach on Saturday afternoon. Beer Coastguard and Rescue Team shared photos of the object on Saturday (February 11) that was later discovered as 'safe' by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit (EOD) in Plymouth. Following confirmation from the EOD, the local coastguard team were able to move the object from the beach without hazard. On Facebook, the team shared photos of the circular object, which is believed to be an item from MSC Napoli which famously suffered catastrophic damage in 2007. A huge storm hit Devon on January 18 2007 which left a shipwreck locals still talk about today. The MSC Napoli was battered off the East Coast, and items from the ship are still being washed ashore now. January 2023 marked 16 years since the shipwreck and over the years, cargo has continued to wash up on Branscombe beach. The MSC Napoli lost 114 containers of its cargo, out of 2,300 containers. Of them, 80 washed ashore, they held items such as explosives, fertiliser, weedkiller, car engines, chocolate, Polish bibles, vodka, shampoo, wine, coffee, perfume, dog biscuits and frozen ducks. Beer Coastguard Rescue Team wrote: "Tasked to investigate possible ordnance which was only visible at low tide. The object had been found the day before, But the incoming tide soon covered it. "We located the object and took photos which were sent to the EOD at Plymouth who confirmed what we thought, that it was not ordnance and was safe to move." They added: "16 years since MSC Napoli was grounded in local waters and still items are being washed ashore." One local resident commented they believe it is a 'fluid torque converter'. They said: "That's a fluid torque converter that sits between an engine and an automatic gearbox. I've got several sitting around in my workshop." While another said: "Found the same part, but a bit more intact at the mouth of the Axe a few weeks ago." Others congratulated the coastguard team.