On the evening of Saturday, December 6, 2025, the calm waters off the Isle of Wight were suddenly disrupted by a most unexpected event: up to sixteen cargo containers tumbled from the refrigerated vessel Baltic Klipper into the Solent, setting off a chain of events that would soon have bananas—literally—washing ashore on Selsey Beach, West Sussex. The odd sight of thousands of bananas scattered across the pebbles quickly drew crowds of curious onlookers, but also a swift and serious response from British authorities.
According to the BBC, the incident occurred at about 6 p.m. near the Nab Tower lighthouse, just off Bembridge. The Baltic Klipper, a regular visitor to the area, was carrying a mix of produce: eight containers of bananas, two of plantain, one of avocados, and five empty units. The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed that all cargo was non-hazardous and, thankfully, no crew members were injured as the containers went overboard. But the sight of floating fruit containers was enough to disrupt shipping traffic, causing the P&O Cruises ship Iona—with more than 5,000 holidaymakers aboard—to remain docked in Southampton overnight, delaying its two-week voyage around Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands.
"HM Coastguard is continuing to work with relevant authorities after 16 containers went overboard from the cargo ship Baltic Klipper in the Solent on December 6," a spokesperson for the MCA told the Daily Mail. "This includes working with the vessel's owners, who are responsible for recovering the containers. The public are advised to avoid the area and are reminded that all wreck material found in the UK has to be reported to HM Coastguard's Receiver of Wreck."
By Sunday afternoon, five of the containers had washed up around Selsey, prompting a coordinated emergency response. HM Coastguard, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, and Sussex Police quickly established cordon zones, urging the public to stay away from the scene and not to remove any goods. As the Sussex News reported, the message was clear: “Authorities are strongly urging members of the public not to approach or open any containers, and not to remove any goods from the shoreline.”
While the bananas—many bearing Tesco labels—may have looked tempting, officials emphasized that all wreck material must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days. Failure to do so is a criminal offence under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, carrying a potential fine of £2,500. The MCA clarified that perishable goods like bananas are excluded from this requirement, but still, the public was asked to comply with all instructions. As the BBC reminded readers, “members of the public should comply with the instructions provided by the council.”
Some locals couldn’t help but marvel at the surreal scene. Harry Emmence, an RNLI volunteer, told the Daily Mail, “We could just see them drifting in and slowly getting closer, before they broke up. There were bananas flying everywhere. My kids were very interested – it’s not something you see every day.” Photos he snapped showed the aftermath: containers ripped apart, yellow fruit scattered across the shingle, and emergency crews bagging up the cargo.
Behind the scenes, a much more complex operation was underway. The Maritime & Coastguard Agency broadcasted warnings to ships in the Solent after the containers went overboard, and an HM Coastguard helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft were deployed to search for missing containers still drifting offshore. As of Sunday evening, several containers remained unaccounted for, their whereabouts monitored by air and sea patrols. Steve Wenham, a Portsmouth ferry worker familiar with the Baltic Klipper, explained to the BBC that the ship is a refrigerated vessel specializing in soft fruits, making regular round-trips from the Caribbean or West Africa. “If any containers have sunk they’re not going to be a problem, but it’s the ones that are still afloat, they’re the hazard,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the disruption to port operations was not insignificant. The departure of the P&O Cruises ship Iona was delayed by a day, with the vessel finally setting sail for its 14-night itinerary on Sunday, December 7. Fortunately, the cruise line anticipated no further impact to the scheduled port calls, as the first few days at sea would allow time to make up for the lost hours. The Iona’s first stop was planned for Funchal, Portugal, on December 10, before continuing to the Canary Islands, Spain, and Lisbon.
On land, West Sussex County Council moved quickly to coordinate the clean-up. Specialist response teams were contracted and scheduled to begin clearing the washed-up cargo from first light on Monday, December 8. The council also promised to issue further guidance about debris recovery and disposal in the coming days. The ship’s owners, for their part, remain legally responsible for recovering any containers still adrift at sea.
For supermarket giant Tesco, whose branding was visible on many of the bananas, the incident presented a minor logistical hiccup. A spokesperson told the BBC that Tesco was already working with its supplier and had good availability of bananas in stores and online, reassuring customers that their morning smoothies would not be threatened by the maritime mishap.
The event also served as a reminder of the legal and safety frameworks that govern Britain’s coastline. The Coastguard urged anyone who spotted drifting containers or debris to call their hotline immediately, emphasizing that public safety and environmental protection were top priorities. As the Sussex News put it, "Anyone who spots drifting containers or debris is asked to call the Coastguard on: 0344 382 0560."
Despite the unusual nature of the event—banana-laden containers bobbing in the English Channel—there was little humor in the official response. Authorities stressed that the law is clear: removing wreck material without reporting it is a serious offence, and even in the case of perishable goods, compliance with instructions is essential. The Daily Mail highlighted the legal risk, warning that “those who fail to declare a wreck without a reasonable excuse face a £2,500 fine under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.”
As of Monday, December 8, clean-up operations were fully underway, with emergency teams working to remove containers and fruit from the shoreline. Helicopters and aircraft continued to search for any remaining cargo at sea, and the public was reminded to keep their distance and report anything unusual. The story of the great banana spill of 2025 may fade from headlines soon, but for those who witnessed the yellow tide rolling in on Selsey Beach, it’s a day they’ll not soon forget.
