MANOA

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Coast Guard urged caution to mariners for the recovery and monitoring operations for lost containers

The Coast Guard urged caution to mariners for the ongoing recovery and monitoring operations for the containers that washed overboard from the "Manoa" in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary west of the Golden Gate Bridge. As of Dec 15, the Parker Diving Service recovered all large container pieces as well as foam insulation from one of the lost containers that washed up along the shoreline of Baker Beach. Matson has deployed response crews at Baker Beach and Pacifica to recover plastic trays and related debris and is also conducting its own aircraft and vessel searches in the area. Additional air support has been requested from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Two of the containers have been recovered and accounted for by Matson crews at Baker Beach and Pacifica Pier, respectively. Aside from the one container that broke up on Baker Beach, a second one, described as black with only a small portion visible, was reported floating south of the Golden Gate Bridge on Dec 15. A third container was also reported partially submerged one nautical mile south of the Pacifica Pier. However, salvage crews have been unsuccessful in locating containers in the area. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Response and Restoration was providing trajectory modeling, using wind and current information to predict the potential direction of the remaining lost containers. If modeling predicts landings on the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary shoreline, then Beach Watch volunteers can be mobilized to evaluate resource impacts. NOAA has additional staff ready if any containers wash up in the sanctuary and damage resources. While the containers did not contain any hazardous materials, debris from the contents, such as styrofoam and plastic materials pose hazards to marine and coastal wildlife through ingestion and entanglement. The Coast Guard was working with NOAA, the State of California, the National Park Service and the City of San Francisco to ensure the safe and effective removal of the containers from the marine environment. The cause of the incident was under investigation. To report sightings of the containers, call the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center at 415-399-7300.

Two more containers spotted in the sea

More containers that washed off the "Manoa" have been spotted floating off the coast by a Coast Guard plane early on Dec 15 morning. The crew spotted two additional containers. One partially submerged container was floating just south of the Golden Gate Bridge and a second container around onemile south of the Pacifica Pier, close to shore. The containers have been reported to Matson Navigation Co. It was unclear whether the container spotted near Pacifica was the same as one that was reported near or to the south of Mori Point on Dec 14. The company's spotters had not been able to locate it and suggested it could have since submerged or drifted away. At Baker Beach cleanup work was substantially completed, as well as in Pacifica. Items could continue to wash ashore for quite some time and the company planned to continue to monitor local beaches. Styrofoam insulation and plastic crates have washed ashore on the beach next to the Sharp Park Golf Course and on Manor Beach.

Cleanup work at Baker Beach

A container that was once loaded with bread washed ashore on the Baker Beach. The refrigerated container first washed up on China Beach, which then broke into smaller pieces and found its way to Baker Beach. Stacks of green and blue pallets and a pile of mangled metal washed ashore on Dec 13. crews were busy on Dec 14 trying to clean up the mess. Hundreds of Matson boxes scattered all over the sand and water. Styrofoam containers were also strewn about. The National Park Service expected the beach cleanup would last throughout the day with the shipping company, the Oakland-based Matson, being responsible for it. The Parker Diving Service was hired by Matson to clean up all 1,000 crates by the end of the day, but had to return on Dec 15 for foam cleanup. The beach remained closed throughout the cleanup. A total of 12 containers fell off the "Manoa" late on Dec 11 in rough seas. 11 container ships were still unaccounted for. The ship berthed in Oakland in the evening of Dec 11 before sailing on to Seattle. Reports with photos and videos: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Truck-size-shipping-container-washes-up-on-S-F-6696871.php#photo-9109757 http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Shipping-Container-Washes-Ashore-on-Baker-Beach-11-Still-Unaccounted-For-361782151.html http://abc7news.com/news/sfs-baker-beach-closed-after-shipping-containers-spilled/1121725/