The crew of the Stena Immaculate oil tanker, which was involved in a collision with the Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, has been hailed for their exceptional bravery by the tanker’s co-owners. The collision took place off East Yorkshire on 10 March, resulting in an explosion and fires that have since been put out. The crew of the Solong, a cargo vessel, also faced tragic consequences as one Filipino crew member is missing and presumed dead, with the Russian captain of the ship facing charges of gross negligence manslaughter.
Crowley, the management company of the Stena Immaculate, shared a photo on social media showcasing the 19 crew members, expressing gratitude and respect for their bravery during the harrowing incident. The crew’s quick and decisive actions in executing critical fire and emergency duties were instrumental in saving lives, protecting the vessel’s integrity, and minimizing environmental damage. The company lauded the crew’s operational focus, ensuring active fire monitors for boundary cooling water, which contained the impact to just one of the cargo holds.
HM Coastguard was involved in the rescue of 36 individuals from both vessels, ensuring their safe return to Grimsby. The coastguard continues to conduct a retrieval operation following sightings of tiny plastic resin pellets, known as nurdles, in areas like The Wash and along the Norfolk shore. These nurdles, while not toxic, pose a risk to wildlife if ingested. The shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns the Solong, acknowledged the presence of plastic nurdles in containers on board and has taken proactive measures to limit environmental impact.
The damaging aftermath of the collision has raised concerns about potential environmental repercussions, with efforts underway to monitor and address any impacts on the marine ecosystem. The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is actively investigating the incident to determine its cause. The captain of the Solong, Vladimir Motin, is currently facing legal proceedings for gross negligence manslaughter, underscoring the serious repercussions of the collision in the North Sea
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