Humane Bird Dispersal Around the Napoli Shipwreck Aids Environmental Recovery
Thursday 20 September 2007

At Branscombe Bay in Devon, thousands of seabirds are being kept out of harm’s way on and around the MSC Napoli container shipwreck. The innovative technology implemented is more usually employed in the world’s busiest airports. Developed by Scarecrow Bio-acoustic Systems Ltd based in Uckfield, East Sussex, the humane bird dispersal device has not only made safe the stricken Napoli for recovery workers, but also the beach where birds had continued to flock.Back in January, the crippled ship leaked approximately 200-tonnes of oil. 

The RSPB reported that up to 10,000 birds may have already died and the oil ashore continues to present a threat; keeping them away from the beach, therefore, had become a priority. A proven and efficient solution was required, one that could be quickly and humanely implemented; the companies involved in Napoli’s recovery called in Scarecrow Bio-acoustic Systems Ltd.In addition to the hazardous beach oil, another problem was the heavy concentration of bird droppings on the ship. 

Growing daily, surfaces were becoming slippery and many recoverable materials were in danger of corroding. The recovery workers on the vessel were faced with escalating health and safety problems. Scarecrow’s One Shot system has resolved this issue by keeping the birds away from the vessel.Scarecrow’s bird dispersal technology works by broadcasting a digitally stored distress call of the species in question to create a ‘hostile’ environment, from which the birds promptly fly away. 

Many of the world’s major airports employ Scarecrow products and other recent installations include shopping centres, parks, oil and gas platforms, harbours and marinas.

Rachel Waldock, Natural England’s Dorset Conservation Officer, commenting on the recent bird activity near Napoli, said:

 “We have been fully involved with the Incident Environment Group and were aware of the potential for increased numbers of birds attracted to the wreck and subsequent potential for oiling in adjacent water. Protecting wildlife in all environments is our priority as is promoting public well-being. We are grateful to Scarecrow and other contractors who have all been working hard to minimise pollution and further damage to the environment.”