The captain of the container ship Solong, which collided with a U.S. Navy oil tanker, has been arrested on charges of gross negligence. Investigations continue as one crew member remains unaccounted for and safety protocols are questioned.
Arrest Made in North Sea Tanker Collision: Investigation Underway
Arrest Made in North Sea Tanker Collision: Investigation Underway
A Russian captain is detained following a tragic ship crash involving a U.S. Navy-operated tanker, leaving one crew member missing.
The captain of the container ship Solong, involved in a serious maritime accident with a U.S. Navy-operated tanker, has been confirmed as a Russian national by the owning company, Ernst Russ. The incident occurred Monday morning in the North Sea, roughly 13 nautical miles from England's northeastern coast, resulting in significant damage and explosions aboard both vessels.
The ship's captain was apprehended by British authorities on Tuesday under suspicions of gross negligence manslaughter. Tragically, one crew member from the Solong is missing and presumed dead, whereas the other crew members managed to escape with no reported injuries. British lawmakers have stated there is currently no evidence linking the captain’s nationality to the crash nor any indications of foul play.
Ernst Russ stated that the Solong's crew consisted of both Russian and Filipino members and expressed their commitment to assisting with the ongoing investigations. Eyewitness accounts and expert analyses have raised concerns about the effectiveness of radar and alert systems, especially since the crash occurred in daylight with the tanker stationary.
Transportation Minister Mike Kane, during a parliamentary session, shared that the Stena Immaculate tanker, operated by the U.S. military, was transporting jet fuel at the time of the accident. He confirmed that the British government has been in contact with U.S. and Portuguese authorities regarding the investigation. While questions about foul play persist, Kane emphasized that there is no evidence to support such claims, remarking that "something did go terribly wrong" leading to this unfortunate event. The Stena Immaculate is owned by Florida-based Crowley and had been temporarily chartered for U.S. government operations.
