Cargo ship's lost containers bring windfall to Dutch islanders

[JacksinPA]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ing-windfall-to-dutch-islanders-idUSKCN1OW104

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dozens of containers with items including flat-screen televisions have washed up on Dutch islands in the North Sea after a ship lost part of its cargo in heavy seas, bringing a windfall for local treasure hunters.

The Dutch Coast Guard said up to 270 containers had fallen off the Panamanian-flagged MSC ZOE, one of the world’s biggest container ships, in rough weather near the German island of Borkum and floated southwest toward Dutch waters.
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Scavenging is a way of life for these islands.

Just another proof of the old adage that 'It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.'

 

[Rexedgar]

I was wondering if the containers were watertight. The containers have only very small inter-locking pegs (square) and receptacles.

 

[Chagos]

I was wondering if the containers were watertight. The containers have only very small inter-locking pegs (square) and receptacles.

Containers are equipped with heavy-duty rubber door seals that keep water and wind out when they're stored on deck.

Once sealed, they also retain sufficient air to then float.

 

[JacksinPA]

Containers are equipped with heavy-duty rubber door seals that keep water and wind out when they're stored on deck.

Once sealed, they also retain sufficient air to then float.

Makes sense, otherwise they would have quickly filled with water & sunk rather than washing up on these islands. What doesn't make sense is the companies like Lloyds of London isn't laying claim to the cargo that they insured.

 

[Dittohead not!]

Makes sense, otherwise they would have quickly filled with water & sunk rather than washing up on these islands. What doesn't make sense is the companies like Lloyds of London isn't laying claim to the cargo that they insured.

It's probably not worth the cost of going around and gathering them up, then re selling them as salvage.

 

[Chagos]

Makes sense, otherwise they would have quickly filled with water & sunk rather than washing up on these islands. What doesn't make sense is the companies like Lloyds of London isn't laying claim to the cargo that they insured.

It's probably not worth the cost of going around and gathering them up, then re selling them as salvage.

Correct.

By salvage laws of many countries, what washes ashore on beaches is the finders'.

Unless the owners lay claim to it, in which case they have to reimburse the salvage costs. Just too much trouble when it can be claimed from the insurance.

The old Jus Naufragii (never really a law but very much a custom) is still in practice today, albeit with moderations. One of those being that you can't take anyone shipwrecked as slave.

 

[Peter King]

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ing-windfall-to-dutch-islanders-idUSKCN1OW104

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dozens of containers with items including flat-screen televisions have washed up on Dutch islands in the North Sea after a ship lost part of its cargo in heavy seas, bringing a windfall for local treasure hunters.

The Dutch Coast Guard said up to 270 containers had fallen off the Panamanian-flagged MSC ZOE, one of the world’s biggest container ships, in rough weather near the German island of Borkum and floated southwest toward Dutch waters.
===========================================
Scavenging is a way of life for these islands.

Just another proof of the old adage that 'It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.'

Well what you going to do with washed up wet televisions? Soaking wet salt water ravaged toys? Not a whole lot. Because only the stuff from broken containers (loose goods) are allowed to be taken by the public because they are deemed to be next to worthless. And quite understandable, if you find one of the car parts then it will most likely have been ruined by salt water. The rest (the closed containers) will go to the mayor of the island and it is then his duty to ask the owner of the goods if he wants his container back (and the goods it contains).

 

[Peter King]

Makes sense, otherwise they would have quickly filled with water & sunk rather than washing up on these islands. What doesn't make sense is the companies like Lloyds of London isn't laying claim to the cargo that they insured.

Why would they, it remains their property.

 

[Peter King]

These are images from the ship that lost the containers.

 

[Dittohead not!]

Correct.

By salvage laws of many countries, what washes ashore on beaches is the finders'.

Unless the owners lay claim to it, in which case they have to reimburse the salvage costs. Just too much trouble when it can be claimed from the insurance.

The old Jus Naufragii (never really a law but very much a custom) is still in practice today, albeit with moderations. One of those being that you can't take anyone shipwrecked as slave.

And I was hoping to get some domestic help that way.

I saw a sign on a store that said, "Adult Store." Good! Who wants to buy a kid? I want someone who knows how to do field work. I went in to buy one, but all they had was porn. What a disappointment.

 

[Chagos]

And I was hoping to get some domestic help that way.

I saw a sign on a store that said, "Adult Store." Good! Who wants to buy a kid? I want someone who knows how to do field work. I went in to buy one, but all they had was porn. What a disappointment.

World's going to the dogs, I tellsya.