Warning that containers might wash up in Wales

People in Porthcawl are being warned that several large shipping containers full of tissues and incontinence pads could wash up on the beach.

It comes after eleven 40-foot long containers were lost from a cargo ship in the Bristol Channel.

Three have been found in the sea, while one has washed up in Bucks Mills beach in Devon containing nappies and other sanitary products, says Wales Online.

The incident happened on Tuesday, October 20, and while seven of the containers were empty, the other four were not.

The coastguard said three of the containers might have sunk, but that one or more might wash ashore in Wales.

“Just before 4.30pm on October 20, HM Coastguard received a report from a vessel that 11 shipping containers (seven empty and four containing non-hazardous cargoes) were adrift in the sea off Land’s End,” says spokesperson from the MCA.

“The relevant organisations were alerted, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Counter Pollution Officer, Trinity House and the ship’s insurers, and they all remain actively involved in this incident.

“Our specialist fixed-wing aircraft carried out an overflight of the area on Friday and it is believed that three of the containers may now have sunk.

“The remaining containers continue to be monitored, the nearest to land is currently 10nm (nautical miles). Local shipping alerts are being issued by HM Coastguard to advise other vessel traffic in the area. Contingency arrangements are underway for container recovery.”