Man arrested over North Sea oil tanker crash as new images show burning vessel

Some new images have emerged of the North Sea collision

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter over the collision between a cargo ship and an oil tanker in the North Sea.

The Portuguese vessel Solong collided with US tanker Stena Immaculate, which was at anchor at the time, off the coast of Hull at around 9.45am on Monday.

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Following the crash fires broke out on both ships with efforts to extinguish the blaze still ongoing.

The HM Coastguard co-ordinated an emergency response which involved a Coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside, lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, a HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capabilities.

One crew member from the Solong remains missing and is presumed dead.

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New images taken on Tuesday show the two smouldering vessels involved in the collision and the damage caused by the huge fires which broke out following the collision.

Humberside Police said it had launched a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision, along with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has also launched a separate preliminary assessment to establish the causes of the crash.

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Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said: “Humberside Police have taken primacy for the investigation of any potential criminal offences which arise from the collision between the two vessels.

“Extensive work has already been carried out and we are working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected.

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“Following inquiries undertaken by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision, this follows the conclusion of search operations by HM Coastguard for the missing crew member of the Solong.

“Our thoughts are with the family of the missing crew member and I have appointed family liaison officers to make contact and provide support to the family.

“The man arrested remains in custody at this time whilst inquiries are under way and we continue speaking with all those involved to establish the full circumstances of the incident.”

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The maritime company managing Stena Immaculate, Crowley, said the vessel was struck by Solong while anchored off the coast of Hull, causing “multiple explosions” on board and an unknown quantity of Jet A-1 fuel to be released.

Crowley confirmed that Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in 16 segregated cargo tanks when it was struck, and at least one tank “was ruptured”.

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The tanker was operating as part of the US government’s Tanker Security Programme, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.

Transport minister Mike Kane told MPs “something did go terribly wrong” to cause the crash between cargo ship the Solong and tanker the Stena Immaculate. He also said “as it currently stands, no sign of pollution from vessels is observed at this time” and the “working assumption” is one crew member from the container ship has died.

He continued: “We will do everything to recover the body of the mariner. In a recent debate around emergency response services, we know that lives are lost at sea, but some succour and comfort is given to the fact that rescue services often bring people’s loved ones back to them for proper funeral and burial.

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“Whether there was foul play, I think is speculation. There is no evidence to suggest that at the moment.”

There has been major concern regarding the environmental impacts from the collision. The Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue shared a message online about how to help wildlife in case they are affected by potential fuel spills caused by the collision this morning.

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In the post, it says they have met to discuss how best to help wildlife, particularly birds, that may reach Cleethorpes Beach. They said: "If you spot an oiled bird along our coast, please do not attempt to handle it. Instead, report the sighting via the hotline, and a volunteer will respond as soon as possible", the committee says.

Earlier today, March 11, Mike Kane confirmed while speaking to the Commons that counter-pollution measures will begin once the fire on the Solong has been put out.

There had been concerns of the cargo vessel carrying containers ladened with sodium cyanide which is dangerous and problematic when wet or heated, but it has since been confirmed by the owner that this was not the case.

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