NSW maritime staff and contractors were continuing to collect debris washed ashore following the recent incident involving loss of 83 containers from the 'YM Efficiency' en route to Port Botany. Debris from the containers has been spotted in numerous locations along the coast, including as far north as Coffs Harbour, as aerial surveillance continues to find new areas affected by the spill. So far, only a couple of the containers have been found and it is thought that most have already sunk to the ocean floor. On the weekend, aerial observations between Newcastle and Port Macquarie reported no container sightings and moderate rubbish in remote areas west of Coal Shaft Bay, Broughton Island and light debris from Yacaaba to Seal Rocks. A second container was located on June 9, roughly 15 metres off Fingal Island. A dive team began retrieving pieces of the container and was to continue with the removal of container parts, weather permitting. The remains of the container were deemed not to be a navigational hazard. On June 11, there were new reports of debris on the northern end of Stockton beach and at Smoky Cape, just east of South West Rocks. Last week, a clean-up team was deployed to Coffs Harbour to retrieve yoga mats which washed up at Murrays Beach at Sawtell, and Emerald and Moonee beaches at Coffs Harbour. To date, the contractors employed to assist with rubbish removal, Varley Group, has collected approximately 750m3 of debris with 49 x 75L garbage bags collected. The clean up effort was continuing despite adverse weather conditions. Weather and sea conditions continued to be bad. However, the beaches and bays wer emostly clear of debris. The difficult part now was to retrieve debris from rocky outcrops and shoreline which are only accessible by boat. NSW maritime was working closely with the contactors and are satisfied with the progress in collecting debris, considering the weather conditions, geographical spread of the affected areas and restricted access to some of the sites. Involved were NSW Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environment and Heritage and local councils regarding the de-escalation and possible re-escalation protocols in place in the event more debris washes up and its potential salvage.' Negotiations are under way with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority about possible ways in which the containers believed to be on the sea bed can be mapped and potentially retrieved. The 'YM Efficiency' remained docked at the DP World Sydney Container Terminal in Sydney by June 13.
WORLD SHIPPING
13 June 2018 - 22:14
Debris collection continued
NSW maritime staff and contractors were continuing to collect debris washed ashore following the recent incident involving loss of 83 containers from the 'YM Efficiency' en route to Port Botany
WORLD SHIPPING
13 June 2018 - 22:14
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