What happened to the Branscombe booty
In January 2007, scavengers swarmed to Branscombe in Devon in search of plunder. But what happened to the booty they took away? A year on, the MSC Napoli still casts a shadow over Branscombe - literally.
Half of its stern, still waiting to be removed by salvagers, is still visible from the shore.
When it ran aground off the coast of Branscombe, the villagers could not have predicted what the wreck would bring them.
Containers washed from the stricken vessel delivered BMW motorbikes, pet food, anti-wrinkle cream, empty wine barrels, copies of the Bible in Xhosa - and a horde of scavengers eager for booty.
Most were disappointed. Only 17 motorbikes - by far the most valuable item of cargo - came ashore, and most beachcombers could only fill their pockets with soggy cosmetics.
But a select few were lucky. Contrary to portrayals of them as lawless looters, the Receiver of Wreck has been informed, as the law requires, of the whereabouts of 13 bikes.
Two undocumented bikes were ...
48 nations registered at the 39th Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia MAPFRE
At less than two weeks from its beginning, the 39th Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia MAPFRE confirms itself as one of the most international editions in the history of this Majorcan Olympic classes regatta. Up to 48 nations will be represented in the bay of Palma from 15 to 21 March with all the attention of the sailing world on the event in this Olympic year.
The 39th Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia MAPFRE will welcome the best world teams of each class, a fact that consolidates this event as the most important and international Olympic classes regatta in Spain.
Up to 586 boats and 900 competitors will meet in Palma as shown by the pre-entry lists of the Consortium Regatta Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia, formed by the Govern de les Illes Balears, Palma and Llucmajor city councils, the Consell de Mallorca, MAPFRE, Real Federación Española de Vela, Federación Balear de Vela, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa, Club Nàutic S’Arenal and Escuela Nacional de Vela ...
