Cruise Ship Delayed 24 Hours Due to Cargo of Bananas Falling Overboard
A recent incident in the Solent has resulted in a significant delay for the P&O Cruises ship Iona. Sixteen shipping containers fell overboard from the cargo ship Baltic Kipper near the Nab tower lighthouse close to Bembridge, Isle of Wight, around 6 PM on Saturday.
Cargo Incident Details
Of the containers that fell into the sea, eight contained bananas, two held plantain, and one carried avocados. The remaining five containers were reported as empty. As a result of this cargo mishap, the Iona, which can accommodate up to 5,200 passengers, was unable to depart from Southampton as scheduled.
Coastguard Response
The UK’s HM Coastguard reported that they are actively coordinating with relevant authorities to manage the situation. A spokesperson confirmed that recovery efforts for the containers are underway, with the vessel’s owners taking charge of the operation.
- Incident Date: December 6
- Time of Incident: 6 PM
- Container Details:
- Bananas: 8 containers
- Plantain: 2 containers
- Avocados: 1 container
- Empty: 5 containers
Public Safety Measures
Two of the containers came ashore at Selsey, prompting authorities to establish a cordon around the area. HM Coastguard has advised the public to avoid this location while recovery operations are being conducted. It’s important for all wreck materials found in the UK to be reported to HM Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck within 28 days to avoid legal consequences.
Impact on Cruise Schedule
Passengers had planned to embark on a 14-day cruise to Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands originally set for Saturday. Following the incident, the Iona remained in port overnight, unable to leave until the lost containers were located.
As of Sunday, representatives from P&O Cruises confirmed that the Iona received clearance to finally sail, allowing passengers to continue their planned adventure.
