83 Containers Lost Overboard

83 Containers Lost Overboard

by Penny Robins/RMS 1 Jun 2018 01:49 PDT

Beach Goers and boaters advised to be on alert for debris after 83 Shipping Containers were lost at sea off the NSW Coast.

Roads and Maritime Services this afternoon was made aware 83 shipping containers had been lost overboard from a container ship en route from Kaohsiung in Tawian to Port Botany.

Roads and Maritime Executive Director Angus Mitchell said the containers are believed to have fallen overboard from YM Efficiency about 30 kilometres off the NSW Central Coast in Commonwealth waters.

Another 30 containers on-board the vessel are reportedly severely damaged.

“While the contents of the containers are unknown, we understood they do not contain dangerous goods. A full manifest of the cargo on board the vessel, and the condition of the vessel, is being sought,” Mr Mitchell said.

Two containers have been sighted about 100 metres offshore from Fingal Head and Boondelbah Island near Port Stephens.

Recovery and removal of these containers is the responsibility of the shipping vessel operator. Roads and Maritime is asking members of the public to be on the look out for these 40 foot containers at sea and on shore.

Boaters are being made aware of these possible navigation hazards on marine radio.

Members of the public should report any sightings of containers to the AMSA reporting hotline on 1800 641 792.

Roads and Maritime is working with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the vessel’s agents and insurers to ensure the safest recovery of the containers.

The YM Efficiency is a 268.8 metre container vessel registered in Liberia.

Reports of container sightings can be made on 000.

Below is what it looks like when it does not go well at sea on a container vessel –