Video footage provided by the British company Orca AI shows the moment when the 'Solong' rammed into the side of the 'Stena Immaculate' off Hull. I't was recorded by a SeaPod unit, mounted on board the tanker 'Ionic Aspis' (IMO: 9523287), which was anchored off Grimsby. The video shows the accident, the foggy conditions and the moment the two ships allided. The preliminary information suggested that the 'Solong' had maintained the same course and speed for almost nine hours until it crashed into the tanker. The British authorities have launched an investigation into the accident together with the flag states involved. The fire on the 'Stena Immaculate' seemed to be finally out on March 12 with no visible signs of smoke or flames. However, Boskalis salvors could not yet get on board, as the weather conditions did not allow it. The option to send the team on board by helicopter was deemed too risky either, as kerosene fumes were measured near the ship, and they did not want to be hanging over that. As the ship is already at anchor there was no need to take unnecessary risks. Even if salvors go on board now, they only have a short time, preferrings to be on board only during daylight. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said that small pockets of fire continued to burn aboard the 'Solong', with the intensity and size of the fire having decreased considerably last night. The operational response to fully extinguish the fire and stabilize the container ship were continued. While the fire activity onboard had diminished, the vessel continued to emit smoke with occasional reports of flames. The vessel is charred from end to end. It was held in a safe position offshore by a tug with additional support vessels remaining in the area. The ship was on an almost even keel and efforts will focus on addressing some smaller fires on board which keep reigniting and to enable safe boarding at some point in time for a comprehensive damage assessment. The captain of the 'Solong', a 59-year-old master remained arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. A spokesperson for Ernst Russ commented that the master and its entire team wereactively assisting with the investigations. They confirmed that the master is a Russian national and the rest of the crew are a mix of Russian and Filipino nationals. There have been no further reports of pollution to the sea from either vessel beyond what was observed during the initial incident. Reports with photos and video: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/03/12/britse-kustwacht-deelt-nieuwe-beelden-van-smeulende-solong-en-stena-immaculate-boskalis-nog-niet-aan-boord/ https://www.soefart.dk/article/view/1151828/se_video_fartoj_filmer_skibe_i_sekunderne_inden_kollision https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K4JQ0VxLIQ
News
ISLAND OCEAN
On the morningof March 12, 2025, a worker died in an accident on board the "Island Ocean", which was docked in Hareid at the Ulmatec Handling Solution. Health personnel were quickly on site, but that the man's life could not be saved. The deceased was not an employee of the shipping company, but of a company that performed work on the vessel. The police have been on board for investigations and confirmed at 2:30 p.m. that the man died. The next of kin have been notified. The company's management has been present to support the crew, and that they received assistance from the Norwegian Seamen's Church.
ELITE NAVIGATOR
The 'Elite Navigator', that sank off Newfoundland on July 17, 2024, with the seven crew members being rescued after nearly 48 hours in a life raft, was said to met safely requirements and had extensive fire safety equipment onboard - beyond what the industry regulations required for that type of vessel. The crew survived days adrift in a life raft after their vessel caught fire and sank, thanks to their adherence to strong safety protocols, according to an investigation by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB), published on March 12, 2025. The ship was operating about 130 nautical miles east-northeast of Fogo Island, when a fire broke out in the engine room, quickly spreading and forcing the crew to abandon ship. The TSB concluded that the crew's commitment to safety procedures was crucial to their survival: "The crew's compliance with safety procedures, including the proper use of life-saving equipment, played a crucial role in ensuring their safety during the abandonment and subsequent rescue." the TSB stated. The cause of the fire remained unknown and no way to determine, also the vessel crews had no way to seal off the engine room at the time.
DREAMLAND
After the 'Dreamland' was safely berthed in Mariehamn,, personnel ofthe Åland Coast Guard Station carried out a ship inspection in cooperation with the customs. How long the 'Dreamland' will remain in the port is unclear. The technical problems were now being investigated. In the meantime, the Åland Coast Guard Station was monitoring the port area with environmental protection in mind. If necessary, they are prepared to act with oil booms. Report with photos: https://alandsradio.ax/nyheter/sjobevakningen-overvakar-dreamland-i-hamnen
MAERSK SALTORO
On March 11, the first container of fruit from the 'Maersk Saltoro' was destroyed, which took approximately two hours. On March 8, the Chinese customs had completed the inspection process of the fruit, and then private inspections were being carried out. To destroy the fruit, the wooden pallets from the loads at customs had to be removed. Then, the 20 tons of cherries were transferred to a hopper truck to be sent to the destruction site. More centers awere being sought to dispose of the fruit. In the first destruction, private inspections were added; given the volume. The destruction was done in a place approved by customs, under the supervision of Chinese customs personnel. The fruit was transported in trucks after the pallets were removed. The Chinese authorities deliver inspection times and define places to destroy the fruit by order of request to perform private inspections. The exporter would receive a document of the customs inspection and the certificate of rejection of the fruit. Customs is still developing the destruction process and protocol as the first destruction was an initial test.