A serious maritime collision occurred on Thursday morning in the Humber estuary, approximately 10 miles off the coast of East Yorkshire, northern England. The incident involved the Stena Immaculate, a 183-meter-long US-flagged oil tanker, and the Solong, a 140-meter-long Portuguese-registered cargo vessel. Reports indicate that 32 casualties were brought ashore in Grimsby following the collision, with 13 coming from nearby offshore windfarm vessels.
The collision was reported at 9:48 am under challenging conditions, as fog enveloped the area throughout the day. The Stena Immaculate was partially loaded with cargo at the time, while the Solong was en route to Rotterdam. The foggy conditions played a significant role in the incident, which occurred despite relatively calm sea states with wave heights of about two meters.
"We are monitoring reports of a cargo vessel crashing into an oil tanker off the coast of Yorkshire very closely." – Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East
Rescue operations were promptly initiated, with casualties being brought ashore by a coordinated effort involving lifeboats and pilot vessels. The Port of Grimsby East's chief executive, Martyn Boyers, expressed concern over both the high speed of the collision and the aftermath observed through initial footage.
"Both the high speed of the collision and the footage of the aftermath are cause for great concern." – Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has dispatched investigators to Grimsby to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has also been made aware of the situation.
"Right now, our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident and the emergency services responding to the situation." – Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East
Despite fog impairing visibility, sea conditions were considered reasonable, according to Boyers. The waters at the time had wave heights around two meters, which is not unusual for the area.
"The sea conditions were actually reasonable. The wave heights were only sort of like 2 metres. Nothing untoward." – Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East
The collision highlights ongoing challenges in maritime navigation, especially under adverse weather conditions. The presence of fog during the incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and technological advancements in navigation aids to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding potential environmental impacts or the extent of damage sustained by either vessel. However, given that the Stena Immaculate was carrying oil cargo, environmental concerns remain significant until assessments are fully conducted.
As investigations proceed, maritime safety agencies and stakeholders will likely scrutinize communication protocols and navigational systems employed by both vessels. Ensuring that such incidents remain rare requires a concerted effort across international maritime communities to enhance safety standards and operational procedures.