Cargo ship’s captain arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after North Sea crash – as it happened

This blog is now closed. For the latest updates, visit Metro’s UK page.

Thanks for reading our live blog today. Our live coverage is now ending.

The true extent of fuel leaks and resulting environmental damage is not yet clear.

But Crowley, which manages the Stena Immaculate oil tanker, says an initial review of fuel released in the collision ‘shows impacts have been limited’.

The maritime firm said: ‘It remains unclear at this time what volume of fuel may have been released as a result of the incident, but initial review shows impacts have been limited due to exposure to the fire and evaporation of the Jet A1 fuel.’

A fire is still burning on the Solong cargo ship, which is being held offshore in a safe position, the Coastguard said.

Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said: ‘A tow line has now successfully been put in place and a tug is holding Solong offshore in a safer position.

‘There are still some flames visible on the main deck of the Solong and firefighting is focusing on this area. A salvage plan is being developed with the appointed salvors on scene.

‘A second salvage company has been engaged for the Stena Immaculate, which remains at anchor, with safety tugs on scene.

‘The fire on Stena Immaculate is greatly reduced with no flames visible.’

Mr Craig added efforts were continuing to stop any pollution spreading following the crash.

‘A comprehensive counter pollution response is in place and HM Coastguard continues to make preparations for any pollution that may occur as a result of the damage to the vessels,’ he said.

‘The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s concern in relation to tanks on the Solong has reduced with tugs now able to work in close vicinity.

‘The threat from the previously identified dangerous goods on board has reduced significantly.

‘Air quality sampling onshore has shown no toxins and modelling from the Met Office indicates no threat to the public.

‘We continue to engage actively with Humberside Police, salvors, the port authorities and other agencies to protect the public and the environment as far as possible while continuing to respond to the developing situation.’

A 59-year-old man arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter has been confirmed as the captain of the Solong cargo ship, which crashed into the anchored Stena Immaculate.

In a statement to Metro, a spokesperson for the Solong’s owner – Ernst Russ – said: ‘Ernst Russ can confirm that the master of the containership Solong has been detained by Humberside police in the UK.

‘The master and our entire team are actively assisting with the investigations.

‘Out of respect for the investigation and all involved we will not comment further at this time.’

The Humber ports of Grimsby, Immingham, Hull and Goole have re-opened this evening, according to the their owner, the Associated British Ports (ABP).

Restrictions remain in place while the ABP ‘continues to support ongoing emergency operations’.

Earlier, the government warned the Solong container ship could sink after crashing into the Stena Immaculate on the Humber Estuary.

Now it’s expected to stay afloat. It may even be tugged all the way to Belgium, Sky News reports.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘I am reassured to hear indications from the ship’s owners which suggest the sodium cyanide containers were empty and that efforts to confirm this by the salvors are underway.

‘I was also pleased to have been informed that early indications suggest that both vessels are now expected to stay afloat and that the Solong can be towed away from the shore, and salvage operations can get under way.

‘I will continue to monitor the response and have asked for regular updates, including on any potential environmental impacts, across government and our agencies.’

Ms Alexander had earlier met with Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s chief executive Virginia McVea to discuss the response to the incident.

Concerns had been raised that the ships’ cargo and engine oil could harm local wildlife in the Humber Estuary, where birds are gathering for nesting season.

But Graham Stuart, the Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness, has left a meeting with Maritime Minister Mike Kane saying there is ‘broadly good news’ in that regard.

Thousands of tons of jet fuel carried by the Stena Immaculate has burnt off, engine fuel hasn’t escaped, and the sinking Solong’s containers of sodium cyanide were already empty, he claimed.

In a video posted to X, Mr Stuart said: ‘There is no evidence so far of any of the heavy engine oil leaking from either ship.

‘The Solong is three miles off shore, south of the harbour and now has a line attached so it can be moved via tug. The sodium cyanide containers were empty and there is no evidence of pollution in the water or in the air to date.

‘No containers appear to have fallen from the ship. The Solong is still smoking, but there are no flames visible.

‘Meanwhile the Immaculate is at anchor. The jet oil appears to have burnt off, and because of its purity, it’s expected to leave no residue in the water. Testing kit is being sent out to confirm.

‘Risks remain, however. It’s possible that heavy engine oil could yet leak. Booms and oil collection kit are in Grimsby in that eventuality.’

A criminal investigation has been launched after the MV Solong and Stena Immaculate crash off the East Yorkshire coast yesterday.

One mariner on board Solong has not been found. He was presumed dead earlier today after ‘the chances of their survival had unfortunately significantly diminished,’ transport minister Mike Kane said.

Here is the statement from Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson: ‘Humberside Police have taken primacy for the investigation of any potential criminal offences which arise from the collision between the two vessels.

‘Extensive work has already been carried out, and we are working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected.

‘Following enquiries undertaken by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision, this follows the conclusion of search operations by HM Coastguard for the missing crew member of the SOLONG.

‘Our thoughts are with the family of the missing crew member, and I have appointed Family Liaison Officers to make contact and provide support to the family.

‘The man arrested remains in custody at this time whilst enquiries are underway, and we continue speaking with all those involved to establish the full circumstances of the incident.’

Hull City Council on the North Yorkshire coast has urged for an emergency Cobra meeting to be convened ‘as soon as possible.’

Mike Ross, the leader of Hull City Council, warned that the North Sea crash has ‘the potential to be an environmental disaster.’

‘We urgently need to see the scale of the area affected assessed and the level of pollution resulting from the crash,’ he said according to BBC News.

He said people in the area need ‘assurances’ over safety of communities, coastline and wildlife.

While work continues to put out the flames on board MV Solong, which is adrift, and Stena Immaculate, theories are swirling over a possible cyber attack or a malicious actor behind the sudden North Sea crash.

Now, the Downing Street has said that there is no suggestion pointing to foul play so far.

The Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: ‘I understand there doesn’t appear to be any suggestions of foul play at this time.’

Mike Kane, the minister for marine and aviation, was quizzed over the collision in the House of Commons today, where MPs asked him to ‘remain vigilant, to ensure that any indications of foul play are carefully investigated.’

Professor Kevin Jones, a marine cyber security expert at the University of Plymouth, told Metro earlier that a cyber attack is ‘within the bounds of possibility,’ although more information and voice recordings from the vessels are needed.