**The Stena Immaculate's crew is honored for their bravery during a collision that resulted in environmental concerns and loss.**
**Tanker Crew Celebrated for Valor Amidst North Sea Collision**
**Tanker Crew Celebrated for Valor Amidst North Sea Collision**
**An oil tanker crew's courage shines in the aftermath of a tragic maritime incident.**
The Stena Immaculate, involved in a recent collision with the cargo ship Solong in the North Sea, is making headlines as the co-owners of the tanker recognize the bravery of its 23-member crew. The incident, which occurred on March 10 off the East Yorkshire coast, led to an explosion and subsequent fire, though these have now been extinguished. Unfortunately, one crew member from the Filipino crew aboard the Solong is missing and believed to be deceased, while the captain of the cargo vessel has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Crowley, the Florida-based company managing the Stena Immaculate, shared a photo of 19 crew members on social media and expressed profound gratitude for their exceptional actions during the crisis. "Their quick response and teamwork were vital in executing crucial fire management and emergency protocols that protected lives, the vessel itself, and the surrounding environment," stated Crowley. The crew’s exemplary management prevented major damage, limiting the fire's impact to only one of the 16 cargo holds.
The HM Coastguard confirmed that 36 individuals from both vessels were rescued and brought safely to Grimsby. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to address environmental repercussions due to the release of tiny nurdles—plastic resin pellets—from the cargo ship. The Coastguard reported that these non-toxic pellets, integral to plastic production, pose a danger to wildlife if consumed. Shipping company Ernst Russ, owner of the Solong, noted that intense heat during firefighting efforts might have caused containers to open, releasing their contents, but assured that no major container losses occurred.
Coastguard Chief Paddy O'Callaghan confirmed the stability of both vessels and stated that salvage operations are ongoing. Regular aerial surveillance continues to monitor the situation, while shoreline clean-up efforts are addressing nurdle sightings along the Norfolk coast. Local residents are reminded of the risks of wildlife ingestion posed by the small plastic pellets.
In the spirit of community support, the RNLI lauded volunteer lifeboat crews from surrounding areas for their relentless efforts in the search and rescue operations, reaffirming that that courage displayed during the challenging conditions was commendable. Meanwhile, the missing crew member was identified as Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, as the Solong's captain, Vladimir Motin, faces charges for his role in the collision and is set to appear in court.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, aiming to understand how such a tragic collision transpired.
