Cruise ship departure delayed by a day after bananas fall overboard

A cruise ship had to delay its departure due to shipping containers falling overboard.

Sixteen containers fell off a cargo ship near the Nab tower lighthouse off Bembridge on the Isle of Wight at around 6pm on Saturday. Eight of them were carrying bananas, two were holding bananas, and one was carrying an avocado.

This meant the 5,200-passenger P&O Cruises ship Iona was stranded in Southampton port and had to postpone its departure until Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: Independent: “HM Coastguard continues to work with the relevant authorities following the collapse of 16 containers from the cargo ship Baltic Kipper in the Solent on 6 December.

“This includes working with ship owners responsible for the recovery of containers.

“It was stated that 8 of the containers were carrying bananas, 2 were carrying bananas, one was carrying avocados, and the remaining 5 were empty.

“Two containers came ashore at Selsey where a cordon was put in place. Coastguard rescue teams from Selsey and Littlehampton, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service and Sussex Police are at the scene.”

“The public are advised to avoid the area and are reminded that all wreckage found in the UK should be reported to HM Coastguard’s Receiver of Wreck.

“Those who fail to declare within 28 days are breaking the law and further action may be taken against them.”

Passengers on the cruise ship were due to embark on a 14-day cruise to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, departing on Saturday.

A spokesman said the ship remained in Southampton overnight after the containers went missing and will remain there until the containers are found.

A P&O Cruises spokesman said on Sunday: Independent Permission was given to sail to Iona.