Updated
There are concerns debris could be washing up on New South Wales beaches for months after a cargo ship lost dozens of containers in rough seas north of Newcastle.
The 268-metre Liberian-flagged ship, YM Efficiency, lost about 83 containers about 30 kilometres off the coast near Port Stephens.
Debris continues to wash ashore, with plastic, clocks and car parts found today.
Large waves washed debris, including nappies, sanitary products and surgical masks, onto beaches over the weekend.
Volunteers have been clearing carloads of debris from Jimmys and Bennetts beaches at Hawks Nest since Sunday morning.
Late Saturday afternoon, marine rescue authorities spotted four containers about 1 kilometre off Hawks Nest.
Debris was also found inside Port Stephens at Rocky Point near Anna Bay and at Fingal Head, while a section of shipping container was also located at Yacaaba Headland.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said no charges were being considered against the ship's owners.
However, AMSA and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will investigate once the ship docks.
Difficult recovery operation
NSW Maritime Executive Director Angus Mitchell said the YM Efficiency was making arrangements to dock in Sydney.
"It is quite a delicate operation," Mr Mitchell said.
"We're looking for a window when it's safe to bring it in."
Mr Mitchell said it could take several days to unload the remaining cargo, so the clean-up was the immediate priority.
"I think we've recovered about five skip bins full of debris," Mr Mitchell said.
However, Mr Mitchell urged members of the public who were trying to remove the debris to leave it to the contractors and agencies tasked with carrying out the clean-up operation.
Coastal erosion shows storm's force
The effects of the strong southerly swell and big surf, which dislodged the shipping containers, can be seen along the mid-north coast.
The waves undercut the coastal road at Winda Woppa, near Hawks Nest.
MidCoast council spokesman Andrew Staniland said a five-metre section of the Boulevard had been fenced off because there was now a significant drop from it to the beach.
But Mr Staniland said residents could still drive on the road.
Danger to marine life, Greens say
New South Wales Greens MP Justin Field said whales, dolphins, seabirds and other marine life would be threatened by the debris.
He said the NSW Government needed to ensure a speedy clean-up.
"The community is already stepping up but now it's time for the Government and the company to fast-track the clean-up," Mr Field said.
"It's unacceptable that massive quantities of plastic and other goods lost overboard have been left to pollute our oceans."
Parliamentary secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the Government would support the local councils.
"We do appreciate what the community's done today, but guidance for the rest of the clean-up will come from agency like the RMS and EPA," Mr MacDonald said.
Topics: disasters-and-accidents, accidents, maritime, sea-transport, hawks-nest-2324, newcastle-2300, nsw
First posted