An investigation has been launched after shipping containers carrying thousands of bananas fell overboard in the Solent at the start of the month.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has said a team of investigators are looking into the incident involving the Baltic Klipper on December 6 at approximately 6pm.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an investigation after 16 refrigerated shipping containers fell from the cargo vessel BALTIC KLIPPER as it was preparing to embark a pilot three nautical miles east of the Isle of Wight. As a result, thousands of bananas washed up on Selsey beach. | (MAIB)

placeholder image — The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an investigation after 16 refrigerated shipping containers fell from the cargo vessel BALTIC KLIPPER as it was preparing to embark a pilot three nautical miles east of the Isle of Wight. As a result, thousands of bananas washed up on Selsey beach. | (MAIB)

The Liberia registered cargo vessel, which was heading for Portsmouth, was approximately three miles east of the Isle of Wight when 16 refrigerated shipping containers fell into the Solent.

Consequently, the Solent deep-water channel was closed for a period of time due to the risk of other vessels colliding with the semi-submerged shippining containers.

Due to strong winds and rough seas, the shipping containers wound up along the south coast at Selsey, Bognor Regis and Pagham Harbour, resulting in plastic insulation and bananas also being washed up along the beach.

A statement from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency previously said: “HM Coastguard is continuing to work with the relevant authorities after 16 containers went overboard from the cargo ship BALTIC KLIPPER in the Solent on 6 December. This includes working with the vessel’s owners who are responsible for recovering the containers.

“Eight of the containers were reported as carrying bananas, two as carrying plantain, one as carrying avocados, and the remaining five as empty.”

Three shipping containers remain unaccounted for, and a clean-up operation is underway, with the initial findings indicating some of the containers were not properly secured for the vessel’s arrival.

It is understood they were lost overboard when Baltic Klipper rolled heavily as it manoeuvred to pick up a pilot for entry into Portsmouth.

A spokesperson for MAIB said: “The purpose of the MAIB’s safety investigation will be to establish the cause of events that led to this accident, understand why it happened, and make recommendations to prevent similar accidents reoccurring.

“The investigation will focus on the practice of removing cargo securing arrangements while vessels are underway before entering port and the impact of the pollution.”

More updates to follow.