The fire on board the 'Solong has been extinguished' on March 18, more than a week after the ship collided with the tanker 'Stena Immaculate'. Measuring of the temperatures on board was going on as of March 19. The British Coastguard has been talking about small pockets of fire since March 12, which have been burning until this day. Plastic pellets have been observed off the east coast of England, south of the collision site. The British Coastguard has started a clean-up operation. They have also issued an appeal to report any plastic pellets that people come across. The fire on the tanker has been extinguished since last week, and a salvage team from Boskalis has boarded the ship several times since MArch 13, inspecting the cargo tanks, engine room and bridge. Boskalis wants to prepare the ship to pump out the kerosene and take it to a port. When that would be possible was not yet known.
News
SOLONG
The shipping company Ernst Russ, which owns the 'Solong', stated on March 18: “We can confirm that a number of containers on board Solong contain plastic nurdles. We understand that no containers holding nurdles have been lost over the side. What we understand may have occurred, is that intense heat during initial firefighting efforts caused one or more of the openings of some of the smaller containers to open, resulting in the release of some contents.” The firm said it had “proactively deployed assets to mitigate any long-term impact on the marine environment” and was liaising with the British Coastguard. Conservation groups have said the nurdles, which are not toxic, can have a devastating effect on animals, including seals, puffins and fish, if they are eaten. Members of the public have been warned not to touch the pellets, which can be covered in other pollutants. Nurdles have begun to appear on Brancaster Beach, in Norfolk, and the RSPB confirmed they have washed up at the charity’s reserve at nearby Titchwell. So far, there have not seen any visible signs at the Blakeney Point Nature Reserve. The inter-tidal salt marshes at Stiffkey were to be assessed next. Steve Rowland, RSPB area manager, said pellets were washing up along miles of Norfolk coast, including the charity’s reserve at Titchwell, an area is internationally important for birds and wildlife. A etrieval operation" was under way between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea in Norfolk - as well as other parts of The Wash - where miles of the pellets have been found. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) hoped lower tides in the coming days would help aid the recovery – a small window of six or seven days – to clear most of the stuff off the beaches. The risk is birds might ingest some of this stuff. Both vessels remained in the area, with the 'Stena Immaculate' at anchor 12 miles off Withernsea, and the 'Solong' about 20 miles further south, off Mablethorpe. One sailor from the 'Solong' – named as 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia – remained missing and presumed dead. The captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court on the morning of March 15, charged with gross negligence manslaughter and was remanded in custody. Members of the public have been asked to report nurdle finds to the Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk. Reports with photos: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/clean-operation-under-way-pellets-162521587.html https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c981r44e3k9o
FEDOR URIUPIN
Ukrainian reconnaissance forces have targeted air defence systems, a Russian Mi-8 helicopter and the 'Fedor Uriupin' in temporarily Russian occupied Crimea over the last few days. Some radar systems were hit, in particular, Podlyot (2 systems), Niobiy (two systems), Kasta (three systems), Imbir (one system), Nebo (one system), S-300 (one system); Nebo-M (one system), Protivnik (one system) and Mys (one system). The S-300 anti-aircraft missile launcher, command posts of the ST-68 radar and Kasta radar, and three Pantsyr-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun systems came under attack. The reconnaissance forces also struck the C4236-project tug and a Mi-8 helicopter. Report with video: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/03/19/7503553/
STENA IMMACULATE
Crowley have praised the crew of the 'Stena Immaculate' for their response after the 'Soling' hit the ship. Cal Hayden, vice president, Crowley global ship management said: "Before being forced to abandon ship, the crew had the dedication and presence of mind to ensure fire monitors were active in order to provide boundary cooling water to the adjacent cargo tanks- Their heroic action limited damage to only the cargo tanks impacted due to the allision. We remain fully committed to supporting the UK response to the striking of the Stena Immaculate and any environmental remediation. Our deepest gratitude and respect goes out to our 23 mariners from the Stena Immaculate for their exceptional bravery and quick action during the recent allision to their ship in the North Sea. Their decisive efforts and teamwork to execute critical fire and emergency duties helped to save lives, protect the integrity of the vessel and minimize the impact on the environment. Against disastrous circumstances, the crew had the operational focus to ensure fire monitors were active in order to provide boundary cooling water, which resulted in limited impact to just one of the 16 cargo holds. Their dedication to safety — not only for themselves but for others — sets a powerful example for the entire industry. Thank you for your courage and dedication." Report with photo: https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/stena-immaculate-crew-praised-for-collision-response/
STENA IMMACULATE
The fire on board the 'Solong has been extinguished' on March 18, more than a week after the ship collided with the tanker 'Stena Immaculate'. The British Coastguard has been talking about small pockets of fire since March 12, which have been burning until this day. Plastic pellets have been observed off the east coast of England, south of the collision site. The British Coastguard has started a clean-up operation. They have also issued an appeal to report any plastic pellets that people come across. The fire on the tanker has been extinguished since last week, and a salvage team from Boskalis has boarded the ship several times since MArch 13, inspecting the cargo tanks, engine room and bridge. Boskalis wants to prepare the ship to pump out the kerosene and take it to a port. When that would be possible was not yet known. Both vessels remained in the area, with the 'Stena Immaculate' at anchor 12 miles off Withernsea, and the 'Solong' about 20 miles further south, off Mablethorpe. One sailor from the 'Solong' – named as 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia – remained missing and presumed dead. The captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, of St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court on the morning of March 15, charged with gross negligence manslaughter and was remanded in custody. Members of the public have been asked to report nurdle finds to the Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk. Report with photos: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/clean-operation-under-way-pellets-162521587.html