Tanker Crew Honored for Bravery in North Sea Collision

Mon Oct 20 2025 06:37:12 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The co-owners of the Stena Immaculate tanker commend their crew’s extraordinary actions following a maritime disaster.

The crew's swift response during a collision with the Solong cargo ship helped avert a greater disaster, while the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

On March 10, the Stena Immaculate oil tanker had a significant run-in with the cargo ship Solong, off the East Yorkshire coastline, leading to an explosion and subsequent firefighting efforts. The Florida-based Crowley, which co-owns the Stena Immaculate, has publicly lauded its crew for their "exceptional bravery" and swift reactions during the crisis.

A postcard showing 19 of the 23 crew members was shared on social media, where Crowley expressed their admiration for the team's quick thinking and dedication to safety. They played a crucial role in managing fire and emergency protocols, limiting damage to the oil tanker and reducing environmental hazards.

In the wake of the incident, a crew member from the Solong, a Filipino national named Mark Angelo Pernia, has been declared missing and is presumed dead. Meanwhile, the captain of the cargo ship, Vladimir Motin, faces charges including gross negligence manslaughter for his involvement in the collision.

The British coastguard reported that all 36 individuals aboard both vessels were rescued and brought to safety in Grimsby. Reports indicate that small plastic pellets used in manufacturing, called nurdles, were accidentally released during the firefighting and are being removed from beaches in Norfolk.

While the firm Ernst Russ, who owns the Solong, acknowledged that plastic nurdles were aboard, they maintained that no containers were lost at sea; instead, heat from the fire may have caused some openings to leak pellets. Efforts to minimize environmental damage are underway in collaboration with the coastguard.

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan confirmed ongoing stabilization measures for both vessels and stated that aerial surveillance is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure both ships remain secure. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has reported numerous small pellets washing ashore along the North Norfolk coast.

The RNLI has praised the bravery of volunteer lifeboat crews from surrounding areas who participated in the search and rescue operation, reinforcing the community's commitment to maritime safety. Salvage operations persist as investigations into the collision by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) are underway.