The US-based firm managing the MV Stena Immaculate said every member of the vessel’s 32-strong crew survived the crash, which sent smoke cascading over Grimsby this morning
Tanker ship blaze billows smoke off the coast of East Yorkshire
The GV Stena Immaculate North Sea crash grabbed attentions this morning after the parked oil tanker was ripped apart by a Portuguese vessel – with authorities now attempting to explain what happened after rushing to the scene.
The dramatic 10am crash caused explosions that choked massive columns of black smoke into the skies above the Port of Grimsby, pictures showed, and prompted a massive emergency response. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames on the US military vessel, which was reportedly being fuelled by Portuguese-flagged vessel Solong while it was at anchor.
The Solong is said to have ground against the Stena’s hull, tearing it to such an extent that “multiple explosions” erupted from inside, and jet fuel spilled into the sea. Investigators arrived at the scene to start the clear-up following a chilling statement from the White House.
According to the US-based maritime news publication Captain, a senior US official at the White House revealed “foul play has not been ruled out” after the Solong appeared to ram into the military vessel. Despite the early trepidation from American officials, there is little evidence so far revealing what may have happened during the collision.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has sent a team to Grimsby to “gather evidence” ahead of a major investigation, which could take months to reach a conclusion. A spokesperson for the branch said inspectors and support staff arrived to undertake a “preliminary assessment” which will inform its next investigative steps.
A spokesperson said: “Our team of inspectors and support staff are gathering evidence and undertaking a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine our next steps.” Speaking to Sky News, Joshua Hutchinson, a managing director for Ambrey, a maritime risk firm, said the investigation could take “several weeks, if not months”.
While there is little information about what led to the incident, several facts have been made clear about the aftermath of the crash by Florida-based Crowley, the firm managing the tanker. Representatives said jet fuel was on board the tanker at the time of the crash, with the Immaculate sustaining a “ruptured cargo tank” that sent the fuel into the sea.
All 32 members of the crew are now “safe and fully accounted for”, the statement added, with some injuries reported but no deaths after they abandoned the tanker. A representative said: “Crowley immediately initiated its emergency vessel response plan and is actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel.
“Our first priority is the safety of the people and environment. We will provide more updates as information becomes available.”
