Erik van Sebille: "The disaster of MSC Zoe is a golden opportunity for oceanographers"

The toppling of the MSC Zoe's cargo containers into sea at the beginning of this year may possibly get a silver lining. Oceanographer and UYA-member Erik van Sebille wants to ask fishermen to help him keep track of where the containers' content ends up at. 

In the radio show Nieuws en Co., he explains that the disaster with the container presents opportunities for science. By following the lost goods from the ship, ocean circulations can be accurately mapped. Wth the help of computer models, it should eventually be possible to track where the lost goods will end up. Of similar accidents in the past it is unknown where the goods ended up - for this reason the current situation presents a unique opportunity for oceanographers. 

It is unknown how long it will take the goods of MSC Zoe to arise somewhere. It is possible that remainders will be found ten years into the future, but by extensively gathering and mapping the current data, even those trajectories can be traced back. "And then we can find out how long a My Little Pony takes to float and sink."