Latest photos released of tanker crash

Salvors including Boskalis were attending the fire-ravaged oil tanker Stena Immaculate on Wednesday morning after the cargo vessel Solong crashed into it at about 17 knots on the morning of March 10.

Both vessels caught fire, and at the time of writing this was still not entirely out, though flames were much less visible and the vessels had separated.

One crew member was still missing at the time of writing, with all 36 others said to be safe and well.

The master of the Solong, believed to be Russian, has been arrested.

The 180m Stena Immaculate was anchored near Hull off the east coast of England loaded with 220,000 barrels of Jet-A1 aviation fuel for use by the US miliary, a spokesman from vessel operator and manager Crowley said on Wednesday.

At least one tank was ruptured when the Solong crashed into it, but Crowley has said it does not expect a major environmental impact and initial review ‘shows impacts have been limited due to exposure to the fire and evaporation of the Jet A1 fuel’.

Stena Bulk president and CEO Erik Hånell said all crew of the Stena Immaculate were safe and accounted for.

“Crowley continues to work closely with UK agencies to support the incident response with salvage and environmental impact mitigation operations,” said the Crowley spokesman.

“/A fire onboard the Stena Immaculate has greatly diminished with no visible flames. Crowley is continuing to assist response efforts led by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). The vessel is stationary at anchor and being monitored by Crowley representatives, partners and government authorities, and we are working alongside partners during initial salvage activities.”

With rumours initially suggesting the Solong was carrying toxic chemicals, MP Mike Kane told the UK Parliament on Tuesday that all containers on board were empty.

The 59-year-old master of the Solong, believed to be Russian, has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. Solong is Portuguese flagged and owned by Ernst Russ.

Maritime & Coastguard Agency

“The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is continuing to coordinate the response to the collision between the Solong and the Stena Immaculate,” said the MCA’s chief executive Virginia McVea on Wednesday morning. “The Solong is being held in a safe position offshore by a tug and further support vessels remain in the ship’s immediate vicinity. This morning’s (12 March) assessment shows the fires on board the ship have greatly reduced in their extent and intensity.

“The Stena Immaculate remains at anchor, with safety tugs in position should they be required. There are no visible flames on board and an on-board assessment may be carried out later today.

“Salvors will only board the vessels when it is safe to do so. Only then will it be possible to carry out comprehensive damage assessments.”

Legal issues

“This case underscores the significant legal responsibilities in maritime operations and could have wider implications for regulatory scrutiny and safety standards in the industry,” said James Broomhall, Senior Associate at Grosvenor Law, a Mayfair law firm.

“Following the arrest, a thorough investigation will determine whether charges should be brought. Authorities will review evidence from maritime experts, witness statements, and vessel data to establish liability.

“If charges are pursued, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment, although sentences typically range from a few years to around 10, depending on the severity of the negligence and any aggravating or mitigating factors.

“Mitigating factors that could reduce the sentence include genuine remorse, cooperation with the investigation, a lack of prior convictions, or personal circumstances such as ill health or family responsibilities. Conversely, aggravating factors such as a history of poor safety practices, the scale of the incident, or any attempt to cover up the events could lead to a longer sentence. If the individual offers an early guilty plea this could result in a reduction of up to one-third of the sentence.”

“Hopefully no one will read into the master of the Solong being Russian and the other ship US-flagged carrying fuel for the USAF,” said one industry insider to Maritime Journal. “Russian masters and officers are not uncommon on ships trading in European waters.”