The ongoing maritime incident in the North Sea has led to the presence of plastic nurdles along the Norfolk coast, with authorities calling on the public to report any sightings of these small plastic pellets.
These nurdles, which can cause environmental harm, are being retrieved from both the water and shorelines between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. HM Coastguard and specialist counter-pollution teams are actively involved in the response, assisting with the collection of the nurdles.
On March 10, 2025, the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship MV Solong collided with the U.S.-flagged tanker MV Stena Immaculate in the North Sea, off the east coast of Yorkshire. The collision resulted in fires aboard both vessels, leading to the abandonment of their crews. The Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel, which contributed to the intensity of the fires. Tragically, one crew member from the Solong was presumed dead following the incident.
Salvage operations continue aboard, with both vessels remaining stable. Fires aboard the Solong have been extinguished, and teams are now accessing all parts of the vessel to ensure it is safely secured. Aerial surveillance flights are continuing to monitor the vessels and pollution retrieval efforts daily.
Authorities urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and report any signs of pollution as the situation develops.
The Coastguard is asking the public to report any potential pollution along the coast to help them pinpoint exact locations for retrieval efforts.
If you spot any nurdles or other possible pollution, please immediately contact the Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre at 0344 382 0580 or email [emailprotected]. If you can, provide a What Three Words location or a grid reference to aid in locating the debris more efficiently.
In case of emergency, please call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
