SHIPPING CONTAINERS IN ENGLISH CHANNEL

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was informed that a number of containers were lost from a Maersk cargo ship as it crossed the northern stretches of the Bay of Biscay in stormy conditions on Friday 14 February.

Most of the containers were empty and are believed to have sunk approximately in French waters, 75 nautical miles south west of Lands End. The MCA's aerial surveillance aircraft has been searching UK waters, and ships passing through the English Channel have been warned and asked to report any sightings.

Three containers have been reported so far, one of which is off Start Point, Devon and the other two in mid-Channel. The MCA is working closely with Maersk to ensure they recover the containers, which are their property.

The situation is being closely monitored and further searches involving the MCA's surveillance aircraft are likely to be carried out over the weekend.

Should any members of the public spot any containers, they should call 999 straight away and ask for the Coastguard.
 
The public is reminded that all wreck material found in the UK has to be reported to the MCA's Receiver of Wreck by completing a form on our website - https://afrmmcanet.mcga.gov.uk/formspublic/ROW/MSF6200.pdf.
Those who don't declare items are breaking the law and could find themselves facing hefty fines and paying the owner twice the value of the item recovered.

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