The captain of the "Solon," a cargo ship sailing under the Portuguese flag, has been arrested after it collided with the "Stena Immaculate," a tanker registered in the United States, in the North Sea. The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 GMT on Monday, near the coast of East Yorkshire.
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03-12, 2025Humberside Police stated that a 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter following a search for a missing crew member from the "Solon." The "Solon" is still emitting smoke, but Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said that both vessels are expected to remain afloat.
Ernst Russ, the German company that owns the "Solon," confirmed to the BBC that the arrested man is the ship's captain. The company stated that the captain, along with the rest of the crew, are assisting with the investigation. Transport Minister Mike Kane stated that one crew member from the cargo ship remains missing and is presumed dead after search and rescue operations were concluded on Monday evening.
Whitehall sources told the BBC that the crew of the "Solon" included Russians and Filipinos. The BBC understands that all 23 crew members on the "Stena Immaculate" are American. They are all in Grimsby and may be repatriated in due course. Police stated that they have begun a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision and are working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is also conducting a parallel preliminary assessment to determine the cause of the collision, police said. The UK Coastguard confirmed that 36 people have been safely brought ashore. Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said: "Humberside Police have prioritized investigating any potential criminal offenses that may have caused the collision between the two vessels." He added that the arrested man has been taken into custody. "Following inquiries conducted by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision."
Superintendent Nicholson also stated: "Previously, the UK Coastguard has concluded its search for a missing crew member from the 'Solon.' Our thoughts are with the family of the missing crew member, and I have appointed family liaison officers to liaise with and support them."
Ernst Russ, the German owner of the "Solon," stated that they are supporting the family of the missing crew member. The company also confirmed that there were no containers carrying sodium cyanide on board, following earlier concerns. "There are four empty containers on board that previously contained dangerous chemicals, and these containers will continue to be monitored," the company stated.
Crowley, the maritime company managing the "Stena Immaculate," stated that the ship was struck by the "Solon" while at anchor off the coast of Hull, causing "multiple explosions" on board and the release of an unspecified amount of aviation fuel. The company stated that the "Stena Immaculate" was carrying 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel, stored in 16 segregated cargo tanks, at least one of which was breached in the collision.
Graham Stuart, the MP for Beverley and Holderness, stated that officials have told him that there is no evidence of any heavy engine oil leaking from either vessel so far, and no water or air pollution. Earlier, Kane told the House of Commons that the "working assumption" was that one crew member from the cargo ship had died. Alexander said she had met with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and had been advised that early indications were that both vessels were expected to remain afloat. She added that the "Solon" could "be moved away from the coast and salvage operations can begin."
Crowley stated that the "Stena Immaculate" is part of the U.S. government's Tanker Security Program, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to transport fuel for the military if needed. The company stated that the ship had been at anchor awaiting a berth at the Kellingholme port on the Humber River.
