Thousands of bananas wash ashore sparking cruise ship chaos in English Channel
Ships have faced disruption in the Solent after more than a dozen containers of fruit fell off a cargo vessel (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)
Shipping containers full of bananas and other exotic fruits have mysteriously washed ashore on the Isle of Wight sparking chaos in the English Channel.
An investigation has been launched as to how more than a dozen huge crates fell off the Baltic Klipper in the world’s busiest shipping lane yesterday.
Around 5,000 passengers on a P&O Cruise, face a delayed departure from Southampton on Saturday before their two-week tour of Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.
A total of 16 containers of fruit had fallen off the vessel near Nab Tower lighthouse off Bembridge at about 6pm yesterday evening, the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed.
Eight containers were carrying bananas, another two held plantains, one was full of avocados while the remaining five were identified as empty.
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No crew members were injured in the accident, while warnings were broadcast to nearby ships in the Solent.
A cordon has been put in place where two of the crates came ashore in Selsey.
Eight of the pallets were carrying bananas, with another two transporting plantains (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)
A spokesperson for the MCA said: ‘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 6 December.
‘This includes working with the vessel’s owners who are responsible for recovering the containers.’
They added: ‘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.’
The Iona was finally given clearance to set sail at midday today, P&O Cruises confirmed.
However passengers reported online that they had been stuck onboard for hours with ‘minimal information’ from the captain.
Operated by Seatrade, the Baltic Klipper sails under the flag of Liberia and can carry more than 9,000 pallets.
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