A major P&O Cruises vessel faced a significant departure delay from a UK port after a cargo ship incident saw multiple containers tumble into a busy shipping lane.
Containers Overboard in the Solent
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) confirmed that 18 containers fell from a cargo vessel into the sea near the Nab Tower lighthouse off Bembridge, Isle of Wight. The incident occurred at approximately 6pm on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
An MCA spokeswoman stated the cargo was non-hazardous and consisted of bananas. No crew members were injured during the event. The coastguard is monitoring the situation closely, with the vessel's owners taking responsibility for recovering the lost containers.
To ensure safety, broadcasts have been issued to warn other ships in the area, and the Selsey Coastguard Rescue Team has been deployed on patrol.
Passenger Ship Impact in Southampton
The fallout from the container spill directly affected the P&O Cruises ship Iona, which boasts a capacity for 5,200 passengers. The vessel had been scheduled to embark from Southampton, Hampshire, on Saturday for a 14-day voyage to destinations including Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands.
Due to the obstruction and safety concerns in the Solent waterway, the Iona was forced to remain docked. A spokeswoman for P&O Cruises confirmed the ship received clearance to finally set sail on Sunday lunchtime, after the delay.
Ongoing Recovery and Travel Disruption
The incident highlights the potential for disruption in one of Britain's busiest waterways. The recovery operation for the containers is ongoing, with authorities working to clear the shipping lane fully.
While the Iona's departure was postponed by nearly a day, the cruise line has managed to mitigate further disruption for its thousands of passengers. The focus remains on maritime safety and the efficient removal of the debris to prevent any risk to navigation.
