Maritime Injury Lawyer Blog
The U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards responded to the container vessel Zim Kingston that lost 40 containers during heavy weather Friday 40 miles from the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Notification came from Prince Rupert Marine Communication and Traffic Services at 12:49 a.m. Friday that the vessel Zim Kingston reported losing approximately 40 containers overboard when the vessel heeled 35 degrees in heavy swells 38 miles west of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The lost containers were initially reported to be general containers with no dangerous cargo.
That report was updated at 2pm reporting two containers had dangerous materials.
No injuries were reported to any crew members.
The Coast Guard conducted a flyover at 10 a.m. An Air Station Port Angeles crew was able to locate 35 of the containers, and deployed a self-locating datum marker buoy to monitor the movement of the containers.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian agencies continue to monitor the shipping containers.
Zim Kingston moored 5 miles from Victoria, British Columbia.
Then, at approximately 11:11 a.m. Saturday Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria reported to the Zim Kingston to have two containers on fire. Sector Puget Sound and RCC Victoria arranged an overflight to monitor the area. Coast Guard did an overflight to capture imagery.
Both the US Coast Guard and Canadian Coast Guard continue to broadcast warnings as the containers pose a significant risk to mariners.
The safety of the remaining crew on the ship, and the responders on the water, is the top priority as the response operations proceed. Unified Command is working through the Emergency Management British Columbia network through local communities to broadcast public safety information as required. Further updates will be provided once the response is underway.
This is a serious incident that is still unfolding. Crew are still in harms way as the situation develops and their wellbeing is at risk.
by Tom Evans, Injury at Sea.
Tom Evans is a SEATTLE MARITIME INJURY LAWYER handling all aspects of maritime injury at sea… including shore side situations.
Injury at Sea Seattle Maritime injury attorneys provide legal representation worldwide for injured fishermen, deckhands, officers, merchant mariners, factory trawlers, crabbers, ferry workers, longshore, all branches of the merchant marines, cruise ship, oil rig workers and recreational boater injuries. Also including longliners, deckhands, processor, factory workers (in the factory and on the trawler) coastguard licensed
They work with highly qualified marine safety investigators, naval experts, injury experts, Board-certified medical personnel and health care providers, physical capacities experts, and job experts, representing anyone injured at sea or in a maritime situation, to get compensation for present and future losses.