Floating Shipping Containers Spotted Off Isle Of Wight Coast Following Storm Goretti

Up to six shipping containers have been spotted floating in the sea to the south-east of the Isle of Wight after vessels lost cargo during Storm Goretti.

HM Coastguard confirmed the containers were identified yesterday (Friday) by a fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, following reports overnight of cargo units being lost overboard in severe weather.

The first incident was reported at around 11.10pm on Thursday, when a vessel confirmed that 17 containers had fallen into the sea to the south-east of the Island.

A second vessel later reported a separate incident at approximately 11.55pm, with seven containers believed to have sunk to the south-west of the Isle of Wight.

The containers are thought to have come from the Liberian-flagged refrigerated cargo vessel Lombok Strait and the Cypriot-flagged cargo ship Condor Valapariso.

However, there has been no official confirmation of which vessel lost which containers.

HM Coastguard says responsibility for recovering the containers lies with the vessel operators, who are working alongside Coastguard teams and salvage specialists.

Cargo lists are still being examined to determine the contents of the containers.

Navigational warnings continue to be broadcast to vessels operating in the area.

Anyone who spots floating containers is asked to contact Solent Coastguard on 0344 382 0560 or via VHF radio.

Members of the public who find any non-perishable wreck material washed ashore, including cargo, must report it to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.

Further information is available at www.gov.uk/report-wreck-material.