A cruise ship was forced to delay its departure after shipping containers bananas fell into the sea.
Sixteen containers fell from a cargo ship near the Nab tower lighthouse off Bembridge, Isle of Wight, at around 6pm on Saturday. Eight of them were carrying bananas, two held plantain and one contained avocados.
It meant that P&O Cruises ship Iona, which has a capacity of 5,200 passengers, was stuck in port at Southampton and had to delay its departure until Sunday afternoon.
A HM Coastguard spokesperson told The Independent: “HM Coastguard is continuing to work with the relevant authorities after 16 containers went overboard from the cargo ship Baltic Kipper in the Solent on 6 December.
“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.
“Two containers have come ashore at Selsey, where a cordon has been put in place. Coastguard rescue teams from Selsey and Littlehampton, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police are all in attendance.”
“The public are advised to avoid the area and 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.”
Passengers on the cruise ship were bound for a 14-day trip to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, which was due to set sail on Saturday.
A spokesperson said the ship remained in Southampton overnight following the loss of containers and would remain there until they were found.
On Sunday, a P&O Cruises spokesperson told The Independent that Iona was given clearance to sail.
