Collision of Oil Tanker and Cargo Vessel in the North Sea
An alarming incident has occurred in the North Sea off the coast of East Yorkshire, where an oil tanker and a cargo vessel have collided and caught fire. The US-flagged tanker, Stena Immaculate, was reportedly struck while anchored by the Portuguese-registered container ship, Solong. The collision raised alarms around 9:48 AM on Monday morning.
Following the collision, it is believed that crew members abandoned both vessels as flames erupted on board. In response to the emergency, four RNLI lifeboats were dispatched to the scene at 10:20 AM, approximately 10 miles off the Yorkshire coast.
Preliminary reports suggest that the 183-meter long Stena Immaculate was carrying jet fuel and had recently traveled from Greece to the UK. Eyewitness photos and videos have captured a massive blaze raging at sea, with thick black smoke rising ominously from the site of the collision.
Concerns have been raised regarding the potential environmental impact of the fires on board both vessels. In addition to the lifeboats, a coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside has been deployed, alongside RNLI units from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe, and Cleethorpes. Furthermore, coastguard fixed-wing aircraft and other nearby vessels equipped with firefighting capabilities are also responding to the emergency.
A spokesperson from the RNLI stated: “Four lifeboat crews have been activated to respond to an incident off the Lincolnshire coast this morning (Monday, March 10). At 10:20 AM, HM Coastguard tasked the Bridlington, Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe, and Skegness lifeboats to assist in addressing the situation involving the two vessels that collided. There were reports of several individuals abandoning ship following the incident, and fires were confirmed on both vessels.”
By 11:40 AM, the Cleethorpes lifeboat was stood down, while the Bridlington, Mablethorpe, and Skegness lifeboats continued their search and rescue operations. The situation remains active, with the RNLI and HM Coastguard collaborating closely.
A representative for the coastguard commented: “We have received reports regarding the collision between a tanker and a cargo vessel off the East Yorkshire coast. The alarm was raised at 9:48 AM. In response, a coastguard rescue helicopter from Humberside was summoned, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe, and Cleethorpes, as well as an HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft and nearby vessels capable of firefighting.”
This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
