The Coastguard has ended the search for a missing crew member from the Solong container ship which crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea on Monday.
The US-flagged MV Stena Immaculate exploded into a huge fire just 10 miles off the coast of the UK. The ship was reportedly carrying a full load of jet fuel when the Portugal-flagged Solong cargo vessel ploughed into it at 10am on Monday.
It is understood the cargo ship had deported from Grangemouth.
One person remains missing after more than 30 people were rescued from the ships and taken to Grimsby, but it was also unclear if anyone was seriously injured.
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.
One person is missing from a cargo ship after it crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea, the vessel’s owner has said.
Shipping company Ernst Russ said efforts to locate one of the 14 crew members aboard its Solong container ship were “ongoing” after the collision with the Stena Immaculate tanker off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday morning.
Could take months to reveal cause of crash
It could take months to reveal the cause of the boat crash, it has been reported.. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has sent a team to Grimsby to “gather evidence” ahead of a major investigation, which could take months to reach a conclusion.
A spokesperson for the branch said inspectors and support staff arrived to undertake a “preliminary assessment” which will inform its next investigative steps.
A spokesperson said: “Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.” Speaking to Sky News, Joshua Hutchinson, a managing director for Ambrey, a maritime risk firm, said the investigation could take “several weeks, if not months”.
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, said they ship may have been on “autopilot” when the crash took place. Mr Boyers said: “Autopilot just steers a course, they don’t deviate, there’s no bend in the sea.” He said the vessel had also likely sent out a mayday, adding: “They must have sent a mayday out – luckily there was a crew transfer vessel out there already.”
While there is little information about what led to the incident, several facts have been made clear about the aftermath of the crash by Florida-based Crowley, the firm managing the tanker. Representatives said jet fuel was on board the tanker at the time of the crash, with the Immaculate sustaining a “ruptured cargo tank” that sent the fuel into the sea.
All 32 members of the crew are now “safe and fully accounted for”, the statement added, with some injuries reported but no deaths after they abandoned the tanker. A representative said: “Crowley immediately initiated its emergency vessel response plan and is actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel.
“Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment. We will provide more updates as information becomes available.”
Oil tanker was carrying jet fuel for the US defence department
The oil tanker involved in the North Sea collision was carrying jet fuel for the US defence department, the BBC has reported.
One ship involved in today’s collision, the MV Stena Immaculate oil tanker, was carrying cargo for the US Department of Defense, US officials have confirmed.
“The collision and ensuing explosions will not impact operations or combat readiness. We do not have a single point of failure,” the officials say.
While the Solong cargo vessel was carrying 15 containers of the chemical sodium cyanide among other cargo, when it collided with the Stena Immaculate tanker, according to a report from maritime data provider Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
One person in hospital after 36 mariners rescued in North Sea oil tanker crash
One person is in hospital after 36 mariners were rescued following a crash between an oil tanker and a cargo ship in the North Sea, a local MP has said.
Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, said both crews were “safe and accounted for” after the collision off the coast of East Yorkshire on Monday morning.
The maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate said jet fuel was released and there were “multiple explosions onboard” when the vessel suffered a ruptured cargo tank after being hit by the container ship Solong.
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.
Tory MP Mr Stuart said: “Like many people across Beverley and Holderness and beyond, I’ve been watching the images from off the coast of Withernsea with a great deal of concern.
“I’ve now spoken with the Transport Secretary and I understand that only one person is in hospital.
“The other 36 mariners across both crews are safe and accounted for.
“While we will be thankful that everyone has been brought ashore, I continue to be concerned about the potential ecological impact.”
