76 containers fell from cargo ship 'Maersk Shanghai' off NC coast during ‘heavy roll,’ officials now say

76 containers fell from cargo ship off NC coast during ‘heavy roll,’ officials now say
March 10, 2018 http://wncn.com/2018/03/10/76-containers-fell-from-cargo-ship-off-nc-coa...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WAVY) – The Coast Guard, NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency are trying to track more than 70 stray cargo containers that fell from a ship about 17 miles off the Oregon Inlet last weekend.

The cargo ship, Maersk Shanghai notified watchstanders at Sector North Carolina’s command center last Sunday that they lost 76 cargo containers overboard and their contents during a heavy roll in high winds, officials said Saturday.

Officials confirmed one of the containers lost at sea was carrying approximately 5,900 pounds of sulfuric acid. There are no indications any containers of sulfuric acid have surfaced or washed up on shore. No other hazardous materials were reported in the containers.

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City crews, Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft crews and aircraft crews contracted by the shipping company have conducted multiple overflights, locating nine containers on the surface. As of right now, only two of the nine sighted containers remain floating.

The Coast Guard has designated the floating containers as hazards to navigation and the owners of Maersk Shanghai have contracted a salvage company to place tracking devices and lights on the containers. The Coast Guard continues to issue Safety Marine Information Broadcasts to inform boaters of the positions of the known containers.

Maersk also plans to use a side-scan sonar to locate the submerged containers and determine their risk to safe navigation and environment impact. Weather and sea conditions will determine how quickly they are able to effectively survey the area.

Plans developed by Maersk to ensure safe navigation and minimize impact to the environment and marine life will be approved by the Coast Guard, NOAA and EPA prior to execution.