SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Cargo ship diverted after mishap at sea

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Today began with a plane making an emergency landing – and included, it turns out, a cargo ship passing West Seattle on the way to emergency repairs. The photo and tip are from Duncan, who saw the ONE Aquila passing Alki Point this morning; this report says it was diverted into Puget Sound while sailing from China to Long Beach, after some of its containers collapsed in stormy weather. The report says it’ll spend at least two weeks in Tacoma for “an emergency survey, repairs and discharge of the collapsed containers.” A customer advisory says it’s then expected to sail to Long Beach, arriving around Thanksgiving.

CarDriver November 6, 2020 (7:16 pm)

Every year HUNDREDS of containers are lost overboard worldwide. Main cause is shippers not lashing them securely enough to survive rough weather. MANY of them don’t sink and are a hazard to any smaller boat that encounters them.

Steve November 9, 2020 (12:35 am)

Depends on the vessel too. A lot of vessels lack enough lashing equipment. I lash and some of these companies are horrible at replacing damaged or lost equipment. So you have to do your best even though you know there are potential hazards. Yes, it’s that bad.

LR November 6, 2020 (8:18 pm)

Some do get washed over by very very large waves. I work out at sea and people wouldn’t believe how big waves can be. I’ll be out in those exact waters in two weeks. Scary.