Strong wind and tidal movement has washed more debris spilled from the YM Efficiency up along the Port Stephens coastline.
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NSW Maritime, the government body overseeing the clean-up efforts alongside the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, said about 16 bulker bags of rubbish including plastic cups and yoga mats were cleared from around Fingal Island at the weekend.
Divers and boat crews, including a RMS environmental services team on board a 12m long harbour cleaning vessel, collected items from around Fingal Island, the beach and spit between Friday and Sunday.
Additional items were recovered at Jimmy’s Beach plus further north to Treachery and Lighthouse Point near Seal Rocks.
Also read: Cargo ship to foot bill for NSW clean up
Since the June 1 incident, where 83 containers went overboard the YM Efficiency in rough seas, the Newcastle-based company tasked by the ship’s insurers to clean-up the spilled cargo, Varley Group, has collected more than 950 cubic metres of debris.
This is the equivalent to more than one third of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
As of Monday, only two of the 83 containers had been located – at Yacaaba Head and Fingal Bay. Work to remove both containers has begun and will continue into this week, weather permitting, the RMS said.
AMSA said that the ship’s insurers have contracted Port of Newcastle to provide their hydrographic survey vessel to initially conduct a five-day search for the remaining lost containers.
The initial search is focusing on the high priority areas around where the containers were lost. The survey started late last week. The results of the survey work are expected to take weeks to collate.
Following the unloading of remaining containers and investigations, the YM Efficiency has now left the port in Sydney.
“Findings on how the accident occurred are subject to Commonwealth investigations and the outcomes won’t be known for some months,” AMSA said.
The RMS has collated an interactive map showing where clean-up operations have been conducted, and are currently in progress. Click here to see the map.
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
