Shipping containers

[James Curry]

Dangers of shipping containers lost overboard spotted this link today. Hit this while out enjoying a sail on your yacht sure will spoil your trip. Will be of interest to our Australian friends.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/weather/to...ategory=foryou

[Les Woodard]

think that it would be of interest to everyone the amount of those boxs floating around our oceans and seas and not just on the surface but just below it as well unseen. Just think of the amount of pilfering that containers stopped on the docks and sum it up with the amount that is lost with containers lost at sea and in ports through pilfering makes one wonder if those who came up with this idea now regret it lol

[happy daze john in oz]

Yes the number going over the side each year does make you wonder is it worth it?
Have seen ships come into port with the containers just about hanging on.
Some washed up on shore and looted. But what the looters forget is there is no warranty with such goods.

[vic mcclymont]

There is a growing trend to Turner containers into beautiful houses.
Vic

[Les Woodard]

Yes the number going over the side each year does make you wonder is it worth it?
Have seen ships come into port with the containers just about hanging on.
Some washed up on shore and looted. But what the looters forget is there is no warranty with such goods.

Hate to be the one to break this to you John but no warranty on any of the goods we nicked either

[j.sabourn]

The nicked goods as you say were only a headache to the ship when you threw the empties over the side . If you had left them there would not have not been such a big hoo hah. The Insurance would not in most cases pay out on invisible bottles as would say they were never loaded in the first place. JS

[j.sabourn]

They should build container ships like car carriers all covered in when Containers arrived on the scene they were loaded into the holds , greed and the need to carry more and more on an open deck assessable to the sea , and what does one expect ? JS

[Keith Adams]

Back on regular cargo vessels,the worst thing one could do is to a have over carried cargo onboard when arriving in a different country. Resultant fines, customs pay offs, reports and HQ after Voyage Meetings aside. There was the problem of having to declare it on every new arrival and even suffer the wrath of both consignee and shipper. Better to throw it over the sides if found after departure. Log entry “Tally Error at load port” ! Problem solved as never on board !
As for containers going overboard, mostly due to inadequately secured at load port. The duty Deck Mate is supposed to ensure that the stevedores properly tension all bar/turnbuckles … heck of a job to oversee properly. Some countries worse than others at securing. Colombo and Port Said come to mind. Immediately after letting go and before dropping pilot, we were set too, checking all securings by taking up any slack and even repositioning some rod /turnbuckles for better effect. There was never a time I didn’t have to rework at least part of a stack and I know other sailors had to also. Very heavy and hard work as the rods and turnbuckles were each very heavy. Used a handcart to trundle them one at a time if had to replace a damage threads or bent turnbuckle with good one from foc’sle store That is how heavy they were. The rods remained on the catwalks when not in use. Must admit that at times iLongshore/dockers/stevedores rarely complained of a damaged turnbuckle … just left it hooked up and tightened as far as they could … not their problem, but a big problem for the ship if the duty officer didn’t spot it or deck crew not set too to check each. At sea, weather permitting, each watch had to check their assigned stacks once a day so that all securings were examined and tightened as necessary. Surprising how much slack can occur as the stow settles !
Those of you who have sailed heavy surf coasts around the world, know it can be quite hazardous turning across the surf when making a coastal port … probably cause of half of the container losses.
Never lost a container on any of the three American Flagged container ships (1000 ft+) that I sailed as AB.
Did think we would break apart in heavy weather … scary looking along the very long foredeck and see it obviously twisting and flexing. Not wood … steel frames and plating … not a god thing. Time to don my Gumby suit !

[j.sabourn]

And the worse cargo to overcarry and a sackable offence was the cargo of HM Mails. The ship i was on running around the BWI ( British West Indies ) it was the second mates job , as mate I had plenty on my own plate with the likes of the different grades of hayfeed for the carriage horses for the different islands dumping overside would immediately arouse suspicion. As recently mentioned missing cases of booze didn’t worry too much if at least the cartons had been left for the insurance assessor. The worse act of sheer waste and today would be a gaol sentence was the 300 ton of fuel oil the chief engineer dumped in the North Atlantic , he had accumulated the same without declaring and were loading deadweight cargoes and it became an embarrassment , so it never really existed was like the Liverpool Man ? Many many years ago but still causes a shudder today when one thinks about the consequences today. . JS

[Doc Vernon]

Now just think what could be done with all that lost Steel ?
I am sure there is Millions of Dollars just lying under the Ocean with not only Containers but so much more!

Would.nt it be grand if one could somehow recover all that lost Treasure!
Instant Millionaires!

Come on Lads thinking Caps on! LOL
Cheers