SOLONG

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

MAIB interim report points at fault of Solong

An interim Report on the alliision of the 'Solong' and the 'Stena Immaculate' has been Issued by the MAIB: Following the accident, the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch began a formal inquiry and this week issued an interim report that traces the 'Solong'’s course leading up to the collision, creates a timeline for the watchkeeping schedule aboard the ship and shows plainly that the 'Solong' was at fault. The MAIB’s ongoing investigation will focus on several critical aspects. It will encompass the navigation and watchkeeping practices on board both vessels; manning and fatigue management; the condition and maintenance of the vessels involved; the use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary; and the environmental conditions at the time. The 'Stena Immaculate' has mwanwhile begun its journey to the port of Great Yarmouth, being towed by the ttugs 'Brage Viking' (IMO: 9475791) and 'Ormesby Cross' (IMO: 9206944) with an ETA as of April 11. The Coastguard said on April 10 that the 'Stena Immaculate' had been successfully unloaded.

STS transfer completed - response to nurdle pollution continued

The transfer of jet fuel from the'Stena Immaculate' onto the tanker 'Fure Vyl' (IMO: 9983956), which had gone alongside for an STS transfer, has been completed on April 9, and salvors were now preparing to bring the vessel into the port of Great Yarmouth later this week. The fuel will be transferred to its destination Killingholme.As of April 10, the 'Fure Vyl' was anchored in pos. 53° 44' N 000° 22' E. Meanwhile, the HM Coastguard continued to support local authorities in their response to onshore pollution from the 'Solong' as a result of the allision n both Norfolk and Lincolnshire. The clean-up operation has moved from a proactive to reactive response. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under close review. The HM Coastguard has asked the public to keep an open eye for nurdle pollution and to report it via the agency's online tip portal.

Solong owners filed legal claim - Crowley stressed that tanker was in compliance with watch safety regulations

The owners of the 'Solong' have filed a legal claim against the owners of the 'Stena Immaculate'. Court records indicated that the legal claim was filed at the Admiralty Court on April 3 by the owners and demise charterers of the container ship against "the owners and demise charterers" of the tanker. It follows a separate legal claim filed against the owners of the' Solong', the Ernst Russ - on March 31 by the co-owners of the 'Stena Immaculate', Stena Bulk and Crowley. A spokesperson for Ernst Russ said: "As part of the legal proceedings arising from the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate, the owners of the Solong have filed a claim in the Admiralty Court in London. This is usual process for large maritime casualties and represents another step in working toward the conclusion of this tragic incident. Meanwhile, Ernst Russ continues to offer all necessary assistance in support of the ongoing investigations." After the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) released the interim report into the incident, which found that the vessels did not have "dedicated lookouts" in what were "patchy conditions", Crowley, the operator of the 'Stena Immaculate', said the tanker was "in compliance with applicable watch-standing safety regulations and company policies for an anchored vessel. We are confident the forthcoming comprehensive investigation report will clarify the facts and circumstances of the incident, demonstrating that Crowley exercised appropriate vigilance."