Early drift modelling suggests Newcastle beaches will remain debris free after more than 80 shipping containers fell overboard off the coast on the weekend.
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Port Stephens beaches have so far copped the brunt of the debris, with car bumper bars, printer cartridges, wooden bowls, lollies, chips, cookies, packaged drinks and analogue clocks washing up.
Approximately 20 skips bins of waste have been recovered so far.
Despite local clean up efforts, Roads and Maritime, the agency leading the recovery work, has asked members of the public to steer clear.
RMS executive director Angus Mitchell has taken on the State Marine Pollution Controller role and will oversee the enormous recovery process.
The insurers of the YM Efficiency – a Liberian-registered container ship - have appointed Varley Group to undertake the recovery of containers and debris.
Workers were sent out on Monday to areas including Jimmys Beach, Rocky Point and Fingal Head, Bennetts Beach, D’Albora Marina to north of Little Beach and the Yacaaba Headland.
“This continuing environmental pollution and recovery effort is our highest priority and we will continue to provide updates to the community,” Mr Mitchell said.
“There are 20 people on the ground, with the capacity to increase this number to 100 people, dependent on ongoing aerial sightings.”
Mechanical beach cleaning equipment is being sent over from the Mid-coast Council at Forster to speed up the process.
Inspections will take place along the shore to assess rubbish on the seabed and in sand channels. A vessel will also recover free-floating rubbish in the nearshore areas off Jimmys and Hawks Nest.
The Australian Border Force have also been called in to deal with customs and quarantine of recovered containers and debris.
The missing containers remain a major hazard in the waters off Port Stephens.
Ongoing maritime safety information broadcasts are being issued and further advice is being provided by Marine Rescue in local broadcasts.
Members of the public are asked to report any sighting of debris or containers to the NSW Maritime Info Line 13 12 36.
Anyone who has already picked up debris is asked not to put it in with general household waste, but take it to any of the allocated skip bins being used by the clean-up team.
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