70 cargo containers lost at sea after falling off ship in high wind, rough waves; Mariners cautioned

70 cargo containers lost at sea after falling off ship in high wind, rough waves
Abbie Bennett March 04, 2018 http://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather/article203422189.html

The Coast Guard is warning mariners to be on the lookout for mroe than 70 cargo containers lost at sea.

High wind and rough seas on Saturday caused 70 to 73 cargo containers to fall off a cargo ship about 17 miles off Oregon Inlet in North Carolina, the Coast Guard said in a Sunday news release.

The cargo ship Maersk Shanghai contacted watchstanders at Sector North Carolina’s command center via VHF-FM marine radio channel 16, notifying them of the lost cargo containers.

The Coast Guard urges all mariners to be cautious when traveling through the area.

Mariners cautioned: High winds cause ship to lose cargo near Oregon Inlet
Christine Bethea March 4, 2018 http://wavy.com/2018/03/04/mariners-cautioned-high-winds-cause-ship-to-l...

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The Coast Guard is warning mariners around the Oregon Inlet to use caution Sunday morning after a cargo ship lost some of its containers Saturday night.

Watchstanders at Sector North Carolina command center said the crew from the Maersk Shanghai cargo ship contacted them Saturday night saying about 70 to 73 cargo containers had been blown overboard.

The watchstanders were told the cargo was lost about 17 miles off Oregon Inlet, N.C.

High winds and heavy seas are believed to be the blame for the loss.

The Coast Guard urges all mariners to transit this area with caution.