Up to 50 containers, broken apart or intact, have been identified during a sea floor search off the Hunter’s coast.
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In June, 81 containers fell overboard from the cargo ship YM Efficiency as it travelled 30 kilometres southeast of Newcastle and Port Stephens.
Since the incident, crews have been working to salvage debris, including the use of a hydrographic survey vessel to track down the lost containers.
The sub-sea search began on June 22 and has made good progress according to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
“The search has been successful so far but hampered by poor weather with the search suspended on occasions,” an AMSA statement read.
“The search to date has identified a number of targets which may amount to as many as 50 containers on the sea floor.
“Search operations are expected to be completed later this week.”
Data will now be processed by the surveyors with the final verification expected about a week after the survey is completed. The risk the containers pose to maritime operations will then be assessed.
Roads and Maritime continues to coordinate the clean-up effort, along with the contractor Varley Group.
More than 1008 cubic metres of debris has been collected.
There is also a review underway for recovery options of plastic cups tangled in weed in the near-shore areas.
Fingal Spit and Fingal Island remain the key focus areas for debris recovery within Port Stephens.
Dive teams recovered four bulker bags of waste from the area just on Tuesday. The majority of the waste was plastic cups and tyres.
Community members are also encouraged to continue reporting debris on 13 12 36, selecting option two. For further information visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/containerincident
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