The crew of the US oil tanker Stena Immaculate have been praised for their quick actions after a collision with the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong in the North Sea.
The accident happened off the east coast of Yorkshire on March 10, 2025. It led to a massive fire that burned for three days. Authorities confirmed that 17,515 barrels of Jet-A1 fuel were lost from the tanker’s total cargo of 220,000 barrels.
However, the maritime company managing the vessel, Crowley, stated that the crew’s swift response prevented a larger disaster by ensuring that only one cargo tank was damaged.
Before abandoning the ship, the crew activated firefighting systems, including fire monitors that provided boundary cooling water to the adjacent cargo tanks.
Cal Hayden, Vice President at Crowley, stated that this heroic action helped limit the damage to only the cargo tanks impacted due to the allision and prevented further fuel loss.
Video Credits: Guardian /YouTube
The remaining cargo and bunkers are secure, according to the company.
The UK Coastguard confirmed that there is no immediate threat of pollution from the tanker, and salvage experts from SMIT Salvage are currently assessing the vessel.
A crew member from the Solong, identified as 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, is missing and presumed dead. Per reports, he was working on the forward deck when an explosion occurred, and his crewmates were unable to locate him before evacuating.
Meanwhile, the captain of the Solong, 59-year-old Russian national Vladimir Motin, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter. He appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody.
Motin is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey in London on April 14.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has launched an inquiry to determine the cause of the collision. Salvage operations are continuing, with teams working to stabilise the vessel and recover the remaining fuel.
References: BBC, Sky News
