Latest news with #SOLONG
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Russian captain charged after North Sea ship collision off coast of Yorkshire
The captain of a cargo ship that crashed into an anchored tanker in the North Sea has been charged - police have confirmed on Friday night. The collision which involved the SOLONG cargo vessel and the the Stena Immaculate, took place off the east coast on Monday, March 10. One crew member is missing following the incident, which triggered a huge blaze. The crew member, named as 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, is now presumed dead. Vladimir Motin, the captain of the SOLONG, will appear before magistrates in Hull on Saturday. The 59-year-old, from Russia, has been remanded in custody. READ MORE: Mum fined £480 for taking kids on term-time holiday takes drastic action after she's left with 'no choice' READ MORE: Friday night pub quiz: Test your general knowledge with these 20 questions - March 14, 2025 A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "An investigation by Humberside Police supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) into the collision between a tanker and a cargo vessel in the North Sea, off the coast of East Yorkshire, has resulted in a man being charged. "The captain of the SOLONG vessel, Vladimir Motin, 59-years-old, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, Russia, has been charged with Gross Negligence Manslaughter and been remanded in police custody to appear at Hull Magistrates Court tomorrow (Saturday, 15 March). "On Monday, 10 March, Humberside Police received a report at around 11am that a collision had occurred between the two vessels, resulting in one crew member being reported missing. "Extensive searches were carried out by HM Coastguard to locate the missing crew member, now presumed deceased. The family are being supported by specialist trained officers and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time." Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: 'We have authorised Humberside Police to charge a Russian national in relation to a collision involving two vessels in the North Sea off the east coast of England. 'The Portuguese-registered cargo ship, the Solong, collided with the American-registered oil tanker, the Stena Immaculate, just before 10am on Monday, 10 March 2025. 'Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, died. 'Vladimir Motin, 59, from St Petersburg, Russia, who was the vessel's captain, is due to be charged with one count of gross negligence manslaughter. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial. 'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' On Friday, chief coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said the vessels are 'stable' and salvors have boarded them both to continue damage assessments. He said: 'There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the Solong which are not causing undue concern. 'Specialist tugs with firefighting capability remain at both vessels' locations. 'Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there continues to be no cause for concern from pollution from either the Stena Immaculate or from the Solong.' Mr O'Callaghan said: 'The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also assisting in the response, and continues to advise that any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low. 'The UKSHA will keep risk assessments under continual review as further information becomes available.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Thursday the situation was 'reasonably contained'. Pressed on calls for a Cobra meeting to assess the potential environmental damage, he said: 'We are absolutely monitoring this 24/7 and I've got teams doing that and assuring me of what's going on. 'At the moment, the situation is reasonably contained. And, obviously, we will do whatever is necessary.'
Sky News
11-03-2025
- Sky News
Man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over North Sea ship collision is captain of cargo ship
A man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the ship collision in the North Sea. Humberside Police said the 59-year-old is in custody to allow enquiries to take place, and officers are talking to those involved to find out what happened. The force added investigators have started a criminal probe into the cause of the collision between the Stena Immaculate and Solong off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday, and are working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Ernst Russ, the owner of Solong, later confirmed the man detained was the ship's captain. The shipping firm called him "the master of the ship" - which is understood to be the same as a captain. 4:27 One person remains missing and is presumed dead after emergency services stopped their search on Monday evening. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is also involved in early work to determine what caused the two vessels to collide. 1:41 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. "Following enquiries 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." 4:21 He added: "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 enquiries are under way, and we continue speaking with all those involved to establish the full circumstances of the incident." Ernst Russ added in a later statement that it could confirm the master of the Solong "has been detained by Humberside Police in the UK". "The master and our entire team are actively assisting with the investigations," the shipping firm said. "Out of respect for the investigation and all involved we will not comment further at this time." US tanker Stena Immaculate was anchored off the coast of East Yorkshire when the Solong crashed into it at around 9.45am on Monday. Some 36 people were brought safely to the shore, but one person was reported missing from the cargo ship. At around 11.20pm, the Solong started to drift southwards away from the crash site. HM Coastguard said in an update earlier on Tuesday that the ship is still alight. Tugboats are in the vicinity to ensure it remains away from the coast Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the container ship is expected to stay afloat, after a minister told parliament that it could sink earlier in the day. She said she met with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's chief executive Virginia McVea, and was "pleased to have been informed that early indications suggest that both vessels are now expected to stay afloat". Ernst Russ also denied reports the vessel was carrying sodium cyanide and said: "There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical. "These containers will continue to be monitored." Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of Jet-A1 fuel in 16 tanks, at least one of which was ruptured, its operator also said.
Sky News
11-03-2025
- Sky News
Man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over North Sea ship collision
A man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the ship collision in the North Sea. The 59-year-old held is in custody to allow enquiries to take place and officers are talking those involved to find out what happened, Humberside Police said. Investigators have started a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision between the Stena Immaculate and Solong off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday and are working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the force added. One person remains missing and presumed dead after emergency services stopped their search overnight on Monday. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is also involved in early work to find out what caused the two vessels to collide. 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. "Following enquiries 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 enquiries are under way, and we continue speaking with all those involved to establish the full circumstances of the incident." Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- The Independent
Search called off for missing crew member after North Sea oil tanker crash
The search for a missing crew member from a cargo ship that crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea has been called off, the coastguard said. In a statement, HM Coastguard said efforts to find the person from the Solong container ship had ended after 'an extensive search', following the ship's collision with the Stena Immaculate tanker on Monday morning. The coastguard confirmed that both boats remain on fire, with experts and environmental groups raising concerns about the incident's impact on wildlife. The maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate, Crowley, said the vessel was struck by the Solong while anchored off the coast of Hull, causing 'multiple explosions' on board and jet fuel it was carrying to be released. Crowley said it was unclear how much fuel may have been released as a result of the incident, but that Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in 16 segregated cargo tanks when it was struck. 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. It had been anchored while it waited for a berth to become available at the Port of Killingholme, on the River Humber, Crowley said. According to reports, the Solong was carrying sodium cyanide, which can produce harmful gas when combined with water, but it was unclear if there had been any leak. Matthew Atkinson, divisional commander for HM Coastguard, said: 'HM Coastguard has been co-ordinating the response to an incident reported at 9.48am this morning (10 March). '36 crew members were taken safely to shore, one person was taken to hospital. One crew member of the SOLONG remains unaccounted for, after an extensive search for the missing crew member, sadly they have not been found and the search has ended. 'The two vessels remain on fire and coastguard aircraft are monitoring the situation. 'An assessment of any required counter-pollution response is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. 'The Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is working with the salvors and insurance companies.' Lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter were called to the collision in the Humber Estuary just before 10am. One RNLI crew member told The Times the fog was so thick during the initial search and rescue crews could 'not see a thing'. 'We are not equipped with firefighting equipment for this type of incident,' he said. It is understood the US and Portugal will now lead investigations into the incident, that work is ongoing to establish the full contents of both ships and that air quality currently remains normal in the area. Dr Tom Webb, senior lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Sheffield, said: 'The wildlife of the Yorkshire coast and Humber Estuary is of immense biological, cultural and economic importance. In addition to the wealth of marine life that is present all year round, this time of the year is crucial for many migratory species. 'Chemical pollution resulting from incidents of this kind can directly impact birds, and it can also have long-lasting effects on the marine food webs that support them.' Martin Slater, of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, told the i Paper the coast was home to 'protected and significant' seabird colonies, with many gathering offshore ahead of the nesting season. Dr Alex Lukyanov, researcher on advanced mathematical models of oil spills from the University of Reading, said: 'Oil spills like the one in the North Sea are affected by multiple factors. The size of the spill, weather conditions, sea currents, water waves, wind patterns, and the type of oil involved all play crucial roles in determining environmental outcomes. 'This particular incident is troubling because it appears to involve persistent oil, which breaks up slowly in water.' He added: 'The environmental toll could be severe.' In a statement earlier on Monday, Ernst Russ said search efforts were ongoing for the missing crew member. The statement said: 'Both vessels have sustained significant damage in the impact of the collision and the subsequent fire. '13 of the 14 Solong crew members have been brought safely shore. Efforts to locate the missing crew member are ongoing. 'Ernst Russ immediately activated an emergency response team, and the company remains in contact with them, the Master of Solong and all relevant marine authorities at Humberside. 'The first priority is the safety of the crew(s), all responders and the environment.' Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander added: 'I am hugely grateful to HM Coastguard, the RNLI and emergency services who have responded to this incident. 'My thoughts are with all those involved, especially the family of the missing crew member.' Ms Alexander said the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch had begun a preliminary assessment of the incident. Crowley vice president Cal Hayden said: 'As with all our operations, Crowley's priority is to protect the safety of mariners and the environment. 'We greatly appreciate the quick actions and support of the UK authorities, rescue workers and others to today's incident and remain committed to working with them on the continued response efforts.' Downing Street said details of the cause of the collision were 'still becoming clear'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was an 'extremely concerning situation'. Michael Paterson, UK managing director of the tugboat firm Svitzer, told The Times seven of the company's vessels were at the scene on Monday. He said the incident was 'one of the more serious that I've seen in my time'. 'We don't know how long this will last, but the phases of this are normally search and rescue and firefighting containment, and then it moves into environmental control, pollution and salvage of the vessels,' he said. 'We understand the search and rescue is now complete, but the firefighting will clearly still continue.'
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Search called off for missing crew member after North Sea oil tanker crash
The search for a missing crew member from a cargo ship that crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea has been called off, the coastguard said. In a statement, HM Coastguard said the missing person from the Solong container ship had not been found after 'an extensive search', following the ship's collision with the Stena Immaculate tanker off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday morning. Shipping company Ernst Russ had said earlier on Monday evening that efforts to locate one of the 14 crew members aboard its Solong container ship were 'ongoing'. The maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate, Crowley, said the vessel was struck by the Solong while anchored off the coast of Hull, causing 'multiple explosions' on board and jet fuel it was carrying to be released. 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. According to reports, the cargo ship was carrying sodium cyanide, which can produce harmful gas when combined with water, but it was unclear if there had been any leak. Matthew Atkinson, divisional commander for HM Coastguard, said: 'HM Coastguard has been co-ordinating the response to an incident reported at 9.48am this morning (10 March). '36 crew members were taken safely to shore, one person was taken to hospital. One crew member of the SOLONG remains unaccounted for, after an extensive search for the missing crew member, sadly they have not been found and the search has ended. 'The two vessels remain on fire and coastguard aircraft are monitoring the situation. 'An assessment of any required counter pollution response is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. 'The Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is working with the salvors and insurance companies.' In a statement earlier on Monday, Ernst Russ said search efforts were ongoing for the missing crew member. The statement said: 'Both vessels have sustained significant damage in the impact of the collision and the subsequent fire. '13 of the 14 Solong crew members have been brought safely shore. Efforts to locate the missing crew member are ongoing. 'Ernst Russ immediately activated an emergency response team, and the company remains in contact with them, the Master of Solong and all relevant marine authorities at Humberside. 'The first priority is the safety of the crew(s), all responders and the environment.' Lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter were called to the collision in the Humber Estuary just before 10am involving US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate and Portuguese-registered container ship Solong. Downing Street said details of the cause of the collision were 'still becoming clear'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was an 'extremely concerning situation'.
