- What Happened: A collision occurred between the US-flagged oil tanker Stena Immaculate and the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong in the North Sea off the East Yorkshire coast. The incident, which took place just before 10:00 GMT on Monday, left both vessels burning and prompted crews to evacuate.
- Ships Involved:
- Stena Immaculate: Carrying jet fuel for the US military, the tanker was anchored at the time of the collision.
- Solong: The cargo ship was approaching from the north at a speed of 16 knots. Initial reports suggested it might have been carrying sodium cyanide, but this has since been clarified.
Rescue and Evacuation:
- Crew Escape: All 36 crew members from both ships were rescued and brought ashore in Grimsby. A sailor from the Stena Immaculate described the harrowing escape, noting that flames were lapping at the crew as they boarded lifeboats. Some crew members suffered singed hair due to the proximity of the fire.
- Human Element: Questions remain about how the collision occurred, given the advanced technology designed to prevent such incidents. Investigators will examine voyage data recorders (similar to airplane black boxes) from both ships to determine the cause.
Environmental Concerns
- Pollution Risks:
- The Stena Immaculate was carrying jet fuel, some of which has leaked into the sea. Wildlife charities are on standby to treat any affected marine life, including seabirds, seals, and fish.
- Initial fears about sodium cyanide on the Solong have been addressed. The ship’s owner, Ernst Russ, confirmed that while four empty containers previously held the toxic chemical, none were filled at the time of the collision.
- Air Quality: Authorities have stated that air quality levels onshore remain within safe limits.
Salvage and Clean-Up Efforts
- Current Status:
- The Solong is still alight, while the fire on the Stena Immaculate has significantly diminished. Both vessels have now been disentangled, making salvage operations less complicated.
- An exclusion zone of 1km has been established around the ships, and safety vessels with firefighting capabilities are on scene.
- Clean-Up Plans: The owners of the Solong have pledged to work with local authorities and clean-up teams to mitigate environmental impacts.
Investigation and Government Response.
- Ongoing Investigations: The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are leading the investigation, with assistance from US and Portuguese authorities.
- Parliamentary Statement: Mike Kane, the parliamentary under-secretary for the Department for Transport, is scheduled to address the House of Commons regarding the incident.
Statements from Officials and Experts.
- Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook: Described the situation as "fast-moving" and "dynamic," emphasizing that air quality levels are currently safe.
- Maritime Expert Matthew Schanck: Highlighted the importance of recovering data from the ships’ voyage recorders to understand the cause of the collision. He expressed concern over the high speed of the Solong at the time of impact.
Timeline of Events.
- Pre-Collision:
- The Stena Immaculate had been anchored since 18:30 GMT on Sunday.
- The Solong departed from Grangemouth, Scotland, on Sunday evening and was approaching at 16 knots.
- Collision: Occurred just before 10:00 GMT on Monday.
- Post-Collision:
- At 23:20 GMT, the Solong separated from the Stena Immaculate and began drifting southward.
- Salvage operations are ongoing, with plans to assess the extent of the damage and contain any further pollution.
Looking Ahead
- Environmental Impact: Experts warn that the full extent of the damage to marine ecosystems may not be known for weeks or even months. The rapid dispersal of sodium cyanide, if released, could mitigate long-term effects, but local wildlife may still be at risk.
- Salvage Operations: Salvage teams are working to stabilize both vessels and prevent further environmental harm.
In summary form:
Cargo Ship Captain Arrested.
The captain of the Solong cargo ship has been arrested by Humberside Police, according to the vessel’s owner. Earlier, authorities confirmed that a 59-year-old man was taken into custody on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following the North Sea collision.
Fire and Salvage Operations.
Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig reports that flames are still visible on the Solong, though salvage operations for both vessels are underway.
Casualties and Vessel Status.
A UK minister has stated that one crew member from the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship is "assumed deceased." Meanwhile, the transport secretary confirmed that both the Solong and the US oil tanker Stena Immaculate are expected to remain afloat.
Cargo Ship's Contents Clarified.
The owners of the Solong have denied earlier reports that the vessel was carrying sodium cyanide. They clarified that the ship held four empty containers that had previously contained the toxic chemical, which are now being monitored.
House of Commons to Address the Incident.
The UK Parliament will hear a statement from Mike Kane, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Transport, regarding the collision. His address is expected to begin shortly, with live updates available.
Solong Owners Commit to Cleanup Efforts.
Ernst Russ, the firm responsible for the Solong, has stated that it is actively cooperating with local authorities and cleanup teams to minimize the environmental impact of the collision. Experts have raised concerns about potential long-term effects on the East Yorkshire coastline.
Ship Movements and Air Quality
At 23:20 GMT on Monday, the Solong separated from the Stena Immaculate and began drifting southward. Authorities have established a 1km exclusion zone around both vessels. According to the UK Health Security Agency, air quality remains within normal levels, posing a "very low" risk to public health.
Fire on Solong Still Active
The latest coastguard update confirms that the Solong is "still alight," while the fire aboard the Stena Immaculate has significantly diminished. Additional firefighting vessels are arriving to assist.
Disentanglement of Vessels
Salvage company Boskalis has confirmed that the Solong and the Stena Immaculate have now been separated. This allows crews to assess the remaining fire damage and determine the next steps in the recovery process.
Environmental Concerns
Concerns remain about potential environmental damage, with the Stena Immaculate leaking jet fuel into the North Sea. Experts warn that while jet fuel is toxic to marine life, natural conditions may help mitigate its spread. The status of the reported sodium cyanide containers remains unclear.
Investigation and Cause of Collision
Authorities, including the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, are examining how the collision occurred. Preliminary tracking data suggests that the Stena Immaculate was anchored when the Solong approached at 16 knots. A crew member from the Stena Immaculate described the cargo ship as appearing “out of the blue,” while some reports suggest no one was on the Solong’s bridge at the time.
Recovery of Data Recorders
Investigators are expected to retrieve and analyze the voyage data recorders (similar to black boxes on aircraft) from both ships to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.
Wildlife and Marine Life at Risk
Environmental organizations remain on high alert, as the affected region is home to significant seabird colonies, seals, dolphins, and fish populations. Wildlife rescue groups are preparing to treat any injured animals that wash ashore.
The situation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as new information emerges.
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