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The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) says a 200kg sealed blue container that washed ashore in Jonkersfonteinstrand on Saturday has been removed and is no longer a risk to the public.
Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said it contained dangerous chemicals and was safely removed by the Garden Route Disaster Risk Management Team (GRDRMT).
He says they suspected that more containers could be floating around the South Cape Coastline and their suspicions were confirmed when a further two were detected on the Mossel Bay coastline.
One container washed ashore in Hartenbos but was empty and posed no risk.
A third container, detected at the Mossel Bay harbour approaching the De Bakke shore, about 700 meters off-shore, was recovered by NSRI Mossel Bay, in cooperation with GRDM Fire and Rescue Services, sealed and transferred.
Lambinon says MARCLEAN, who deals with Hazardous Materials, in this case in particular Maritime Waste, was also involved in the operation.
The NSRI says there had been no reports of any dangerous chemical containers missing off any ship at sea and its origin will be investigated.
Local authorities also thanked members of the public who called in sightings of the containers.
The NSRI said there appears to be no further risk, but emergency services remain on 24-hour alert.
