A serious maritime collision in the North Sea off the East Yorkshire coast has resulted in significant damage, multiple casualties, and an environmental hazard. A US-flagged oil tanker, the Stena Immaculate, carrying jet fuel, collided with the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong, leading to explosions and a massive fire. Here’s a breakdown of the latest developments.
Timeline of Events
9:48 AM – Alarm Raised
The UK Coastguard received a distress call regarding a collision between two large vessels approximately 13 miles off the East Yorkshire coast. The Stena Immaculate was reportedly anchored at the time of impact.
10:20 AM – Emergency Response Mobilised
The Coastguard deployed four lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe, and Cleethorpes. A fixed-wing aircraft and fire-fighting vessels nearby were also dispatched to the scene. The RNLI confirmed reports of people abandoning the vessels.
11:00 AM – Port of Grimsby East Put on Standby
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, stated that preparations began to receive casualties, though their conditions were initially unknown.
11:28 AM – Ambulance Services Arrive
The East Midlands Ambulance Service arrived at North Quay, Grimsby, deploying multiple resources, including the Hazardous Area Response Team.
12:57 PM – First Image of the Container Ship Released
Initial photographs surfaced showing the Solong, the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel, which was reportedly heading straight towards the Stena Immaculate before impact.
1:03 PM – Location of Crash Confirmed
The collision occurred off the Lincolnshire coast, close to the Humber Estuary.
1:07 PM – First Footage of the Aftermath Released
Videos captured large plumes of black smoke rising from the burning ships, reinforcing fears of an environmental and safety disaster.
1:19 PM – Visibility Reported Poor Near Humber
The Met Office confirmed that fog and low cloud had been prevalent in the area, potentially affecting visibility and navigation.
1:29 PM – UK Transport Secretary Expresses Concern
Heidi Alexander, the UK Transport Secretary, acknowledged the incident and confirmed she was in communication with officials and the Coastguard.
1:35 PM – Maritime Expert Weighs In
David McFarlane, director of Maritime Risk and Safety Consultants Ltd, noted that both vessels were legally obliged to avoid a collision. He emphasized that an anchored ship, like the Stena Immaculate, would have had limited options to prevent impact. Raising its anchor could take up to an hour.
1:47 PM – Tanker Linked to US Military Supply Programme
Reports surfaced that the Stena Immaculate was part of a US Department of Defence program to transport oil during “times of need.” The tanker had been reflagged under this initiative in August 2023.
2:08 PM – Jet Fuel Likely on Board the Tanker
Joshua Hutchinson, a maritime risk expert, confirmed that the tanker was carrying jet fuel, a highly flammable substance, which could have exacerbated the fire.
2:10 PM – Ambulance Service Still on Scene
East Midlands Ambulance Service remained at the Port of Grimsby East, treating incoming casualties.
2:12 PM – 32 Casualties Reported
The Port of Grimsby East confirmed that 32 casualties had been brought to shore. Ambulances transported them to the Princess Diana Hospital. The extent of injuries remained unclear.
2:37 PM – Possible Role of Autopilot in the Collision
Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, suggested autopilot failure as a potential cause. He explained that if the Solong was on autopilot without an active bridge crew, it would have continued on a straight course, leading to the crash.
2:50 PM – Casualty Count May Rise
The Port of Grimsby East anticipated another vessel carrying additional casualties. Three ships had already arrived, delivering injured crew members.
3:02 PM – Summary of Incident
By this point, the known facts included:
- The Stena Immaculate and Solong collided approximately 13 miles off East Yorkshire’s coast.
- The Stena Immaculate was stationary when struck.
- 32 casualties had been confirmed, all reported alive.
- The fire continued to rage, with jet fuel spillage in the water.
- Emergency services remained on high alert for further developments.
3:16 PM – Confirmation of Jet Fuel Spillage
Crowley, the firm managing the Stena Immaculate, confirmed that a ruptured cargo tank had released jet fuel into the North Sea, causing multiple explosions.
Ongoing Concerns
- Environmental Impact: The release of jet fuel into the sea poses a significant ecological threat.
- Fire Containment: Authorities continue efforts to extinguish the flames.
- Casualty Reports: The number of injured individuals may increase as more survivors are brought to shore.
- Investigation into Cause: Maritime officials are examining whether autopilot failure played a role in the crash.
Authorities remain on high alert as emergency teams work to assess and mitigate the damage caused by this devastating maritime disaster.
