Large quantities of bananas and other tropical fruits have washed ashore after falling from a cargo ship off the coast of the Isle of Wight. The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported that 16 containers tumbled overboard from the Baltic Klipper near the Nab Tower lighthouse at approximately 6pm on Saturday.
While no crew members were injured, several containers have since washed up at Selsey, West Sussex. The accident caused significant delays for the P&O Cruises ship Iona, which has a capacity of 5,200 passengers. Bound for a 14-day voyage to Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands, the vessel was forced to remain in Southampton until Sunday lunchtime.
An MCA spokeswoman provided specific details on the cargo and ongoing recovery efforts, stating: “HM Coastguard is continuing to work with the relevant authorities after 16 containers went overboard from the cargo ship Baltic Klipper in the Solent on December 6.
This includes working with the vessel’s owners, who are responsible for recovering the containers.
Eight of the containers were reported as carrying bananas, two as carrying plantain, one as carrying avocados, and the remaining five as empty.”
She added: “Currently, five containers lost from the cargo ship Baltic Klipper have washed ashore around Selsey, West Sussex.”
HM Coastguard, alongside West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police, have put cordons in place and are asking people not to go near the containers.
Other containers have been sighted adrift off the shoreline and an HM Coastguard helicopter and fixed wing aircraft have been carrying out searches.”
The public has been strictly advised to avoid the area and warned of the legal implications of handling debris.
The spokeswoman noted: “The public are reminded that all wreck material found in the UK has to be reported to HM Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck.
“Those who fail to declare items within 28 days are breaking the law and may have further action taken against them.”
Pictures taken by RNLI volunteer Harry Emmence, 35, show one of the containers ripped apart near the coast, with debris scattered across the beach.
He said: “We could just see them drifting in and slowly getting closer, before they broke up.
“There were bananas flying everywhere!
“My kids were very interested – it’s not something you see everyday.”