One Missing and Fires Continue After Containership Hits Tanker off England
UK authorities and the shipping companies provided updates late on Monday reporting more than 12 hours after a feeder containership hit a tanker anchored off the UK, the fires are continuing to burn. One crewmember from the containership was reported missing while 36 people were evacuated to shore in the UK with one crewmember remaining in a local hospital.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency received reports of the ships being evacuated at 0948 local time. The vessels were reported to be near Hull, England. Four lifeboats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were dispatched along with helicopters and planes. In addition, commercial vessels in the area also responded to provide assistance. One of the Windcat crew vessels supporting the offshore wind industry transported the first survivors to shore.
The U.S-flagged oil tanker, M/T Stena Immaculate was struck this morning by the Portuguese-flagged cargo vessel, M/V Solong while at anchor off the coast of the U.K. in the North Sea, resulting in a massive fire which has now engulfed the Stena Immaculate. The crew of the vessel… pic.twitter.com/zq4iPIdNx5
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The Stena Immaculate (49,792 dwt) was at anchor in the Immingham Anchorage having arrived from Greece and waiting for a berth at the Port of Killingholme. The vessel is operated by Crowley under the U.S. flag and owned by Stena Bulk. It is on a long-term charter as part of the U.S. Department of Defense Tanker Security Program. Stena and Crowley confirmed in statements that the 23 crewmembers from the vessel had been accounted for and were safe.
The tanker was struck by the Portuguese-flagged containership Solong, which is managed from Germany. The vessel is 9,300 dwt and 461 feet in length (141 meters) with a capacity of approximately 800 TEU. The vessel was sailing from Scotland to Rotterdam. Ernst Russ, owner of the vessel, issued a statement late on Monday confirming that one of the 14 crewmembers aboard was missing, and Monday night Matthew Atkinson, Divisional Commander for HM Coastguard, reported that the search had been ended.
Crowley provided the first details of the incident in a statement reporting that the Stena Immaculate was loaded with 220,000 barrels of Jet A-1 fuel in 16 segregated cargo tanks. They said the vessel suffered a ruptured cargo tank causing the fuel to be released. There were multiple explosions according to Crowley, but they said it was unclear what volume of fuel may have been released as a result of the incident.
More than 12 hours later, HM Coastguard reports the situation has not yet been stabilized. The fires are still burning on both vessels. Coastguard aircraft were reported to be monitoring the situation while unconfirmed reports indicated that fire crews were pulled back from the immediate vicinity possibly fearing additional explosions. Images during the afternoon showed fireboats spraying water on the vessels.
In addition to the jet fuel that was spilling from the Stena vessel, the Solong is reported to have 18 containers of sodium cyanide on board. It is a highly toxic chemical and the U.S. CDC reports, “Containers may explode when heated or if they are contaminated with water.”
“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,” said Atkinson.
The circumstances of the incident remain unclear but the Guardian newspaper is quoting the UK Met Office saying there were likely areas of fog and low clouds in the region. They were predicted to be lifting as winds increased and the temperature rose. The forecast was for a hazy day.
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander issued a statement thanking the emergency service workers who helped with the evacuations and assisted in the operation. HM Coastguard said additional updates would be provided as the incident proceeds.