Withernsea: British police have arrested the captain of the Solong cargo ship on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following a collision with the tanker Stena Immaculate off England’s east coast. The crash, which occurred while the Stena Immaculate was anchored, caused extensive fire damage, explosions, and a fuel spill, raising environmental concerns.
The Solong, flying under the Portuguese flag, struck the larger Stena Immaculate, which was carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military. Initially, there were fears that the smaller vessel might sink, but Transport Minister Heidi Alexander later stated that both ships were now expected to stay afloat. Maritime Minister Mike Kane told Parliament that one crew member from the Solong was presumed dead, while 36 people had been rescued and brought ashore.
Arrest and Investigation
Police confirmed the arrest of a 59-year-old man in connection with the collision, later identified by the ship’s owner, Ernst Russ, as the vessel’s captain. “The master and our entire team are actively assisting with the investigations,” the company said in a statement.
Footage taken from the air on Tuesday showed a large hole in the hull of Stena Immaculate, with extensive fire damage along its side. The U.S.-based operator of the tanker, Crowley, reported that the fire had significantly diminished, with no visible flames remaining. The Solong, however, was still smoldering.
Authorities established a one-kilometer exclusion zone around both vessels as the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch began gathering evidence. However, ultimate responsibility for the investigation falls to the U.S. and Portuguese authorities, given the ships’ flag registrations.
Environmental Risks and Response
Initial reports from Lloyd’s List Intelligence had suggested the Solong was carrying sodium cyanide, but the vessel’s owners denied this, clarifying that four containers had previously stored the chemical but were now empty. Conservation groups remain concerned about the environmental impact of the jet fuel spill, warning that contamination could spread across the region’s delicate coastal ecosystem, home to protected seabirds such as puffins and gannets.
British lawmaker Graham Stuart stated that most of the spilled jet fuel appeared to have burned off and that there was no immediate sign of an engine oil leak. However, he cautioned that risks remained, particularly the potential for heavy oil to escape into the sea.
Dutch salvage firm Boskalis has been deployed to recover the Stena Immaculate, with four vessels carrying foam and firefighting agents already en route. Authorities have also prepared oil dispersants and containment booms to minimize pollution.
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Unanswered Questions
Despite multiple safety measures onboard modern vessels, it remains unclear how the high-speed Solong—traveling at nearly 19 knots—failed to avoid the stationary tanker. Maritime tracking data shows that the Solong had navigated through the same area on previous voyages.
While British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson said there was no indication of foul play, authorities have yet to determine how much jet fuel was released. Crowley has stated that an initial review suggests a limited environmental impact but acknowledged that a full assessment is still ongoing.
