Latest news with #PaddyO'Callaghan
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Tanker to be towed to Great Yarmouth after crash
An oil tanker will be towed to the Port of Great Yarmouth, a month after it was struck by a cargo vessel in the North Sea. The US-registered Stena Immaculate was anchored 16 miles (26km) off the East Yorkshire coast when it was hit by the Portuguese-flagged Solong, causing an explosion on 10 March. A crew member of the Solong, a Filipino national, is missing and presumed dead, while the ship's Russian captain is charged with gross negligence manslaughter. HM Coastguard said jet fuel cargo from the tanker had been transferred to another vessel with preparations under way to tow the Stena Immaculate to Great Yarmouth later this week. Following the crash, thousands of tiny plastic pellets used in plastics production, known as nurdles, were released from ruptured containers on the Solong and have been found washed up on the Lincolnshire and Norfolk coast. According to conservationists, nurdles are not toxic but can harm animals if ingested. Chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said a clean-up operation of the plastic resin balls had been "moved from a proactive to reactive response". He said HM Coastguard would "keep the overall situation under close review". As of 1 April, about 11 tonnes of nurdles had been cleared from Lincolnshire's beaches, officials said. On Wednesday, Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council said its clean-up operation was being scaled back after "790,000 individual plastic nurdles and additional burnt fused nurdle mats" had been recovered from its beaches. Victoria Egan, the National Trust's general manager for the Norfolk Coast, said the trust's rangers would be carrying out surveys to "determine the extent of the pollution". "We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impact of this plastic pollution on the Norfolk coast and its wildlife, which could continue to be washed up for weeks and months to come," she said. Earlier this month, The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released an interim report into the crash, which stated both vessels did not have "dedicated lookouts" in what were "patchy conditions". Mark Pernia, the Filipino crew member on the Solong who is missing and presumed dead, was reported to be in the forward area of the ship at the time of impact, according to the MAIB report. Thirteen crew from Solong and the 23-strong crew of the Stena Immaculate evacuated to lifeboats and were recovered by local boats and emergency responders. The Solong's Russian captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter, and is due to stand trial in January 2026. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Ships had no lookouts before crash, says report Crashed cargo ship Solong arrives in Aberdeen Tanker owners praise 'exceptionally brave crew' Race to clear ship-crash plastic found on beaches Tonnes of plastic cleared after North Sea crash HM Coastguard Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk Marine Accident Investigation Branch
BBC News
10-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
North Sea crash oil tanker to be towed to Great Yarmouth
An oil tanker will be towed to the Port of Great Yarmouth, a month after it was struck by a cargo vessel in the North US-registered Stena Immaculate was anchored 16 miles (26km) off the East Yorkshire coast when it was hit by the Portuguese-flagged Solong, causing an explosion on 10 March.A crew member of the Solong, a Filipino national, is missing and presumed dead, while the ship's Russian captain is charged with gross negligence Coastguard said jet fuel cargo from the tanker had been transferred to another vessel with preparations under way to tow the Stena Immaculate to Great Yarmouth later this week. Following the crash, thousands of tiny plastic pellets used in plastics production, known as nurdles, were released from ruptured containers on the Solong and have been found washed up on the Lincolnshire and Norfolk to conservationists, nurdles are not toxic but can harm animals if coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said a clean-up operation of the plastic resin balls had been "moved from a proactive to reactive response".He said HM Coastguard would "keep the overall situation under close review".As of 1 April, about 11 tonnes of nurdles had been cleared from Lincolnshire's beaches, officials Wednesday, Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council said its clean-up operation was being scaled back after "790,000 individual plastic nurdles and additional burnt fused nurdle mats" had been recovered from its Egan, the National Trust's general manager for the Norfolk Coast, said the trust's rangers would be carrying out surveys to "determine the extent of the pollution"."We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impact of this plastic pollution on the Norfolk coast and its wildlife, which could continue to be washed up for weeks and months to come," she said. Earlier this month, The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released an interim report into the crash, which stated both vessels did not have "dedicated lookouts" in what were "patchy conditions".Mark Pernia, the Filipino crew member on the Solong who is missing and presumed dead, was reported to be in the forward area of the ship at the time of impact, according to the MAIB crew from Solong and the 23-strong crew of the Stena Immaculate evacuated to lifeboats and were recovered by local boats and emergency Solong's Russian captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter, and is due to stand trial in January 2026. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Stena Immaculate to be towed to Great Yarmouth a month after North Sea crash
The Stena Immaculate will be towed to the Port of Great Yarmouth later this week, a month after it was struck while at anchor in the North Sea by the container ship Solong. The US tanker has been undergoing salvage operations since the incident on March 10, about 12 miles off the coast of East Yorkshire. In a statement, chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: 'The transfer of cargo from the STENA IMMACULATE to the FURE VYL has been successfully completed. 'Preparations are now ongoing to prepare the vessel to enter the Port of Great Yarmouth safely under tow, later this week.' The Portuguese-owned Solong was towed to Aberdeen late last month. The collision caused jet fuel being carried by the tanker to ignite, resulting in large fires on both vessels. A total of 36 people were rescued from the ships with Filipino national Mark Pernia missing, presumed dead. Following the collision, thousands of plastic pellets used in plastics production, known as nurdles, were released from ruptured containers on Solong and began washing up on beaches on the Norfolk coast. According to conservationists, the nurdles are not toxic but can harm animals if ingested. Mr O'Callaghan said the clean-up operation had moved to a 'reactive' phase. ' HM Coastguard continues to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution from the SOLONG as a result of the collision, including plastic nurdles, in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire,' he said. 'The clean-up operation has now moved from a proactive to reactive response. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review.' Crowley, the maritime company managing Stena Immaculate, said in a statement 'cargo lightering' of the tanker had been completed, adding: 'All remaining jet fuel was safely transferred to the tanker Fure Vyl. The cargo fuel is being delivered to its original destination of Killingholme, U.K.' The statement continued: 'After a final assessment by salvage experts, the Stena Immaculate will be towed to a lay berth at the Port of Great Yarmouth, U.K., with arrival expected later this week. 'The vessel will then be inspected, undergo temporary repairs and is expected to remain there pending its final repair destination, which has yet to be determined. 'The tow and lay berth destination was updated after further planning and analysis from Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K., to best accommodate the vessel's draft specifications. 'We appreciate the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), our U.K. port and maritime partners' support in this process. 'We continue to work with the appropriate authorities and remain committed to concluding the remaining salvage operations with the highest possible regard for safety.' A preliminary report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said there was no 'dedicated lookout' on either of the vessels. It stated that Stena Immaculate's second officer took over 'anchor watch' for a 12-hour duty period shortly before midnight, while Solong's master returned to the bridge at 7am and was the 'lone watchkeeper'. The crash happened at 9.47am. A watchkeeper is responsible for the safe navigation of a vessel whereas the role of lookout is to continuously watch the sea. The MAIB described visibility in the area as 'patchy'. Multiple legal claims have been filed over the incident. Solong's captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of St Petersburg, Russia, is due to stand trial in January 2026 charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stena Immaculate to be towed to Great Yarmouth a month after North Sea crash
The Stena Immaculate will be towed to the Port of Great Yarmouth later this week, a month after it was struck while at anchor in the North Sea by the container ship Solong. The US tanker has been undergoing salvage operations since the incident on March 10, about 12 miles off the coast of East Yorkshire. In a statement, chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: 'The transfer of cargo from the STENA IMMACULATE to the FURE VYL has been successfully completed. 'Preparations are now ongoing to prepare the vessel to enter the Port of Great Yarmouth safely under tow, later this week.' The Portuguese-owned Solong was towed to Aberdeen late last month. The collision caused jet fuel being carried by the tanker to ignite, resulting in large fires on both vessels. A total of 36 people were rescued from the ships with Filipino national Mark Pernia missing, presumed dead. Following the collision, thousands of plastic pellets used in plastics production, known as nurdles, were released from ruptured containers on Solong and began washing up on beaches on the Norfolk coast. According to conservationists, the nurdles are not toxic but can harm animals if ingested. Mr O'Callaghan said the clean-up operation had moved to a 'reactive' phase. 'HM Coastguard continues to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution from the SOLONG as a result of the collision, including plastic nurdles, in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire,' he said. 'The clean-up operation has now moved from a proactive to reactive response. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review.' Crowley, the maritime company managing Stena Immaculate, said in a statement 'cargo lightering' of the tanker had been completed, adding: 'All remaining jet fuel was safely transferred to the tanker Fure Vyl. The cargo fuel is being delivered to its original destination of Killingholme, U.K.' The statement continued: 'After a final assessment by salvage experts, the Stena Immaculate will be towed to a lay berth at the Port of Great Yarmouth, U.K., with arrival expected later this week. 'The vessel will then be inspected, undergo temporary repairs and is expected to remain there pending its final repair destination, which has yet to be determined. 'The tow and lay berth destination was updated after further planning and analysis from Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K., to best accommodate the vessel's draft specifications. 'We appreciate the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention (SOSREP), our U.K. port and maritime partners' support in this process. 'We continue to work with the appropriate authorities and remain committed to concluding the remaining salvage operations with the highest possible regard for safety.' A preliminary report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said there was no 'dedicated lookout' on either of the vessels. It stated that Stena Immaculate's second officer took over 'anchor watch' for a 12-hour duty period shortly before midnight, while Solong's master returned to the bridge at 7am and was the 'lone watchkeeper'. The crash happened at 9.47am. A watchkeeper is responsible for the safe navigation of a vessel whereas the role of lookout is to continuously watch the sea. The MAIB described visibility in the area as 'patchy'. Multiple legal claims have been filed over the incident. Solong's captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of St Petersburg, Russia, is due to stand trial in January 2026 charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cargo ship that collided with US tanker in North Sea towed to Scottish port of Aberdeen
LONDON (AP) — A badly damaged cargo ship which collided with a U.S. tanker in the North Sea earlier this month arrived in the Scottish port of Aberdeen Friday, following a fire that lasted for nearly a week. Following a tug-assisted journey that lasted a few days, the Portugal-flagged Solong docked in Aberdeen for 'safe berthing' and damage assessment. The damage to the ship following its collision on March 10 with an anchored tanker, the MV Stena Immaculate, and the ensuing fire, was clearly visible from the shore. The tanker was transporting jet fuel for the U.S. military in the North Sea. 'Salvage of the Solong has progressed to enable its relocation to the Port of Aberdeen for safe berthing," said chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan. 'The Stena Immaculate remains in a stable condition with salvage ongoing.' A spokesperson for Ernt Russ, the company which owns the Solong, said the fire-stricken ship will be 'fully assessed by specialist marine assessors and insurers' in Aberdeen. The Solong's Russian captain, Vladimir Motin, has been remanded in custody over the death of a crew member, 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia., who is missing and presumed dead. Motin, 59, has been charged with 'gross negligence manslaughter' and is due to appear at the Central Criminal Court in London, better known as the Old Bailey, on April 14. Rescuers saved 36 people from both ships. U.K. authorities have said there is nothing to indicate the collision was connected to national security, but investigations are ongoing. Fortunately, the environmental damage from the collision was far less than first thought, though thousands of pellets used in plastics production, known as nurdles, from the ruptured containers on the Solong have begun washing up on beaches in the east of England. According to conservationists, the nurdles are not toxic but can harm animals if ingested. Local authorities are working to remove the nurdles.
