Lost container

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2 December 2005

by Andrew, onboard the Esperanza

©Greenpeace/Sutton-Hibbert

At about 14:00 (2pm) today our first mate Paul was out on the heli deck when he spotted something orange floating in the distance. He informed the bridge; thinking at first thought was that it might be a life raft. Naomi (2nd mate), on watch at the time, altered course right away. Coming closer she recognized the orange thing as a dangerous goods tank container - similar to ones she had seen working on commercial ships. This floating stainless steel tank was about 20 feet (6m) long. Painted bright orange, it was floating high, mostly or completely empty, but was the type used to transport toxic, flammable and other dangerous materials. It wouldn't have been safe for us to bring it on board, not that we have anywhere to store it anyway.

However, we hoped to see some identifying numbers that would give a clue to the tanks origin. Our helicopter was on its way back from the Arctic Sunrise, and detoured over to the tank. Naomi and Frank (captain) also piloted the Esperanza near, so the tank passed close. But the only other numbers we saw was "22t6". No real help. It looked to have been at sea a long time.

In the end, we had to let the tank go, but it was a good example of how pollution reaches even this remote stretch of ocean. The world's oceans are large, but the life in them faces many threats. Become an Ocean Defender to help protect them.

Comments

Hello again,
I just want to encourage people to write a letter to the editor for their local paper regarding Japanese whaling in the Southern Oceans!!

It's very easy actually. Hell, Alfred our GP Nordic press officer , phoned me yesterday and said my letter to the editor had been published in Sweden's biggest paper "Dagens Nyheter". If my letter can be published,then everybodies can too!!

Posted by: Ann Novek at December 2, 2005 7:26 PM

The numbers "22T6" stand for: 20' container, 8'6" foot high, dangerous goods at maximum of 6 bar. See http://members.surfbest.net/intermodal@surfbest.net/ICTYPE.HTM
Containers normally have unique ID numbers, including the four letter owner code.

Posted by: sojo at December 3, 2005 4:42 AM

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