The majority of shipping containers that went overboard off the south-coast in recent months are now believed to have been either recovered from the sea or sunk close to the point of loss, according to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
In total, around 40 containers have fallen from three separate vessels during stormy weather and high winds, with most losses occurring in January and December 2025. Following heavy seas off the Isle of Wight, containers were swept into the English Channel, prompting aerial surveillance and response efforts across the region’s waters.
The MCA confirmed that the majority of containers lost during these incidents have now either been located and removed or are believed to have sunk relatively close to where they fell overboard.
Multiple Incidents and Heavy Seas
The container losses stem from three cargo vessels that encountered rough weather while navigating off the south coast.
- On 8 January 2026, a ship near Nab Tower lost 17 containers when struck by severe seas during Storm Goretti.
- Later that night, seven empty containers were reported overboard about 16 nautical miles south of St Catherine’s Point, Isle of Wight.
- An earlier incident in December 2025 saw 16 containers — reportedly carrying bananas — lost from a fourth vessel.
Since these events, whole containers, fragments of metal and cargo debris — including loose produce and packaging — have washed up intermittently across parts of Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex.
Coastguard and Recovery Efforts
In response, the HM Coastguard deployed aircraft to patrol the waters off the Isle of Wight and along the English Channel, monitoring drifting objects and updating navigational warnings for shipping traffic. Salvage crews have been involved where possible, and local authorities have worked to collect washed-up debris.
The MCA emphasised that the recovery of lost containers remains the responsibility of the vessels’ operators, who are working with the Coastguard, salvors and other stakeholders to resolve remaining losses.
Fragmented container materials that have been found at sea or on shore have been removed and properly disposed of when possible, though authorities caution that some items remain hazardous to beach users and marine life due to their size and construction.
Safety and Public Advisory
Coastguard officials continue to urge members of the public and mariners to remain vigilant. Any sightings of drifting containers or large debris should be reported to Solent Coastguard by phone or via VHF radio. Authorities also remind beachgoers that non-perishable wreck material washing ashore should be reported to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days, as part of statutory requirements for lost cargo.
Although weather conditions have eased since the initial incidents, drifting debris can still pose a navigation hazard to vessels and a safety risk to coastal communities, especially in areas affected by tides and changing seas.
“While many of the lost containers have now been recovered or sunk, the incidents highlight the lasting impact severe weather can have on maritime safety and coastal communities.”
