USCG issued a Marine Safety Alert regarding the incidents of containers falling overboard. During September and October of 2025, multiple incidents occurred at various terminals throughout the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach that involved shipping containers unexpectedly falling overboard from container vessels. In one instance, several fallen containers struck an emission control barge moored alongside the container vessel. A crew member onboard the barge suffered minor injuries, while the barge itself sustained significant damage. In a separate incident, four containers nearly landed on a separate emission control barge after ineffective container securing methods were used.
The Coast Guard’s investigations into these incidents are ongoing. However, preliminary findings indicate that there were no established policies or planning tools in place to account for vessels alongside during cargo operations. Furthermore, the reliance on ad-hoc communication 1 Safety Alert 04-26 February 10, 2026 Washington, DC protocols has been identified as a contributing factor in both cases. The Coast Guard strongly recommends that managers and operators of cargo vessels and shoreside facilities: