Dutch coastguard said it was trying to locate 26 empty shipping containers lost in the North Sea.

[seivadnehpets]

How long before these are rounded up?

 

[DanTribe]

I wonder if we will see scenes like in Devon 2007 when hordes of "salvagers" turn out to save the cargo?

 

[Capt Popeye]

I wonder if we will see scenes like in Devon 2007 when hordes of "salvagers" turn out to save the cargo?

Hordes of scavengers you say , well let you know in some places on the coast its a way of life from olden days ; old habits die hard down ere ; how else do we make a living these days ?

 

[Black Sheep]

How long before these are rounded up?

Dutch coastguard said it was trying to locate 30 empty shipping containers lost in the North Sea

 

[ex-Gladys]

I wonder if we will see scenes like in Devon 2007 when hordes of "salvagers" turn out to save the cargo?

Key word... "empty"

 

[DanTribe]

Key word... "empty"

Aah! Yes, that makes a difference.

 

[seivadnehpets]

Dutch coastguard said it was trying to locate 30 empty shipping containers lost in the North Sea

My interest was the hazard to small boats. I wouldn't want to venture out before they've all been accounted for.

 

[seivadnehpets]

Mind you if an empty sea container washed up at the YC it could be handy.

 

[justanothersailboat]

I must admit to a bit of confusion about floating containers. Clearly they sometimes do float and are an absolute menace when they do, particularly as they float so low. But those doors don't look like a perfect seal against immersion in water. Would a container normally fill and sink unless it contained buoyant cargo (maybe things in polystyrene packaging?) sufficient to float a couple of tonnes? Or do they trap enough air to float even when part flooded somehow?

 

[seivadnehpets]

I must admit to a bit of confusion about floating containers. Clearly they sometimes do float and are an absolute menace when they do, particularly as they float so low. But those doors don't look like a perfect seal against immersion in water. Would a container normally fill and sink unless it contained buoyant cargo (maybe things in polystyrene packaging?) sufficient to float a couple of tonnes? Or do they trap enough air to float even when part flooded somehow?

Perhaps we can be reassured?

 

[Charlie Boy]

I must admit to a bit of confusion about floating containers. Clearly they sometimes do float and are an absolute menace when they do, particularly as they float so low. But those doors don't look like a perfect seal against immersion in water. Would a container normally fill and sink unless it contained buoyant cargo (maybe things in polystyrene packaging?) sufficient to float a couple of tonnes? Or do they trap enough air to float even when part flooded somehow?

Another forum member who is in the container moving trade has posted at length on this subject before

 

[Poignard]

Hordes of scavengers you say , well let you know in some places on the coast its a way of life from olden days ; old habits die hard down ere ; how else do we make a living these days ?

I hear tell that Rees-Mogg, the Minister for Brexit Opportunities, is looking into reviving this traditional British industry.

 

[jimi]

I suppose it also depends where they sink, if they sink in shallow water which is deep enough to just cover them that could also be a danger

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Another forum member who is in the container moving trade has posted at length on this subject before

Yes; he stated that they are designed to sink, as far as I recall. The only way they can float long term is is they are filled with buoyant material - but that isn't at all unlikely given the prevalence of buoyant packaging materials such as expanded polystyrene, bubble wrap and the like. And, of course, many manufactured goods may well be sealed well enough to float, at least in the short term. Refrigerated containers can also remain floating.

 

[justanothersailboat]

Thanks chaps. All makes sense. Sounds like I was thinking along the right lines but hadn't considered refrigerated containers.

 

[LittleSister]

My interest was the hazard to small boats. I wouldn't want to venture out before they've all been accounted for.

Given the sizes of containers, small boats and the North Sea, the chances of encountering one are rather less than other hazards you would routinely encounter.

 

[Daydream believer]

I wonder if lobster pot strings might have been dragged off station . That could catch one unawares in choppy water. Especially if the weight of gear in deeper water drags the pot down a bit

 

[seivadnehpets]

I suppose it also depends where they sink, if they sink in shallow

Given the sizes of containers, small boats and the North Sea, the chances of encountering one are rather less than other hazards you would routinely encounter.

Thank you, but I would only accept that logic for the situation up until now. The headline I quoted refers to to 26 containers lost from one ship, but after the recent storms I would expect to find a lot of rubbish floating about, some of it dangerous.

 

[The Q]

With the normal currents all the Dutch have to do is walk along the coast, any that still float will likely get washed up there..

 

[sailorman]

Most will end up ashore on texel