Sixteen of the 50 shipping containers lost off the APL England in heavy seas almost 10 days ago have been recovered, but NSW authorities admit with most still missing "we have a big job ahead of us".
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Of the 50 containers lost overboard south of Sydney, 24 were empty refrigerated containers and 26 contained a variety of goods, NSW Maritime said on Tuesday.
"Sixteen containers are now accounted for - either recovered and disposed of by our crews or in the process of being recovered and disposed of," NSW Maritime acting executive director Alex Barrell said in a statement.
"All except one of these (16) is an empty refrigerated container."
A container that washed onto rocks south of Maroubra Beach in Sydney on Sunday has been dismantled and removed.
Crews have also worked to remove five containers that came ashore last week at Bateau Bay on the Central Coast.
One hundred workers are continuing the clean-up effort despite gale-force winds and hazardous surf conditions being forecast into Wednesday along the NSW coast.
"Clean-up of debris ... is expected to continue over the next few weeks and, dependent on weather, NSW Maritime recovery crews plan to carry out some more aerial surveillance from as early as Friday," Mr Barrell said.
Boaters have been warned that floating or submerged shipping containers pose a risk to their vessels.
The Australian Marine Safety Authority has laid charges against the master of the APL England for offences relating to pollution and damage of the marine environment as a result of poor cargo loading.
Australian Associated Press
