A serious situation is developing off the coast tonight, from the Hunter to Sydney, after up to 83 large steel shipping containers washed from the deck of a freighter, battling big seas on the final leg from South Korea to Port Botany.
Swept by a rising swell, cargo items from some containers are washing up on beaches at Port Stephens.
Marine Rescue has issued an alert to all ships.
The greatest risk will be to smaller sailing and fishing vessels.
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