North Sea collision: One in hospital, 36 ‘safe and accounted for’

Image credit: Holderness Gazette / MarineTraffic

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

One person is in hospital and 36 mariners are “safe and accounted for”, an MP has said, following a catastrophic collision between a tanker and a container ship off the East Yorkshire coast this morning.

An emergency operation involving helicopters and lifeboats was launched after a collision between what is believed to have been a US-flagged tanker called the MV Stena Immaculate and a Portuguese-flagged container ship called Solong, which caused fires on both ships just before 10am.

The collision, which resulted in huge plumes of black smoke, happened about 10 miles off Withernsea, north of Spurn Point nature reserve and the mouth of the Humber estuary.

In an incident update this afternoon, Beverley and Holderness MP Graham 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.”

The tanker, which was heading from a Greek port to Hull, is thought to have been anchored at the time, and appears to have been struck amidships by the container ship, which was heading to Rotterdam from Grangemouth in Scotland.

The Stena Immaculate is said to have been carrying jet fuel, prompting fears about the environmental impact of the collision. The Humber Estuary is one of the most environmentally protected areas of the UK.

Martin Slater, director of operations at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, which operates Spurn Point National Nature Reserve, said: “Our thoughts are with everyone on the ships and the rescue crews. This is obviously a very worrying incident and we’re following developments closely, including waiting to see if there is any pollution into the North Sea from this incident.”

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard is currently coordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire resulting in fires aboard both vessels. The alarm was raised at 9.48am.

“A coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.

“The incident remains ongoing and an assessment of the likely counter pollution response required is being enacted.”