A cruise ship has been forced to delay its departure after shipping containers carrying bananas fell overboard from a cargo ship off the Isle of Wight.
The P&O Cruises ship Iona was set to leave Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-week trip to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, but has been stuck in port after the incident near the Nab tower lighthouse off Bembridge just before its departure.
A Maritime Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard was informed that, at around 1800 yesterday (6 December), 18 containers went overboard from a cargo ship, near the Nab Tower in the Solent.
“No crew members were injured and the containers are carrying non-hazardous cargo.
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The spokeswoman said HM Coastguard is monitoring the situation and working with the relevant authorities, including the vessel’s owners, to recover the containers.
“Broadcasts are being sent to warn local shipping and Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team is on patrol.”
Meanwhile, Iona, which has a capacity of 5200 passengers, is understood to be remaining in port while the containers are recovered.
