News

An interim Report on the alliision of the 'Solong' and the 'Stena Immaculate' has been Issued by the MAIB: Following the accident, the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch began a formal inquiry and this week issued an interim report that traces the 'Solong'’s course leading up to the collision, creates a timeline for the watchkeeping schedule aboard the ship and shows plainly that the 'Solong' was at fault. The MAIB’s ongoing investigation will focus on several critical aspects. It will encompass the navigation and watchkeeping practices on board both vessels; manning and fatigue management; the condition and maintenance of the vessels involved; the use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary; and the environmental conditions at the time. The 'Stena Immaculate' was pulled to the port of Great Yarmouth, being towed by the tugs 'Brage Viking' (IMO: 9475791) and 'Ormesby Cross' (IMO: 9206944) on the evening of April 11, and safely berthed in the foreport, assisted by the tugs 'Ormesby Cross' (IMO: 9206944), 'Sea Juliett' (IMO: 9778387), 'Camperdown' (IMO: 9974905) and 'Triton' (IMO: 9451537). .It is expected to remain there pending its final repair destination, which has yet to be determined. Reports, photos and video: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-04-11/north-sea-tanker-towed-into-port-one-month-after-collision?fbclid=IwY2xjawJrGzFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHk4G44MLVn-nasgHUsXSBzdr8gVdSfVSB1GGsmbEo1a36akWZR_qUx27Kyxb_aem_0sGC-1i5tfTt4wxE2GgVeg https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg72150xvx8o https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3826817?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7tbwxxvFSw https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/stena-immaculate-docks-great-yarmouth-10102061

The Russian captain of the 'Soling', Vladimir Motin, appeared before at London's Central Criminal Court, from prison via a video link on April 14. He is charged with gross negligence manslaughter over the death of a crew member. Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, a Filipino crew member on the 'Solong', is missing presumed dead. Mr Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing. In the absence of a Russian interpreter to assist the defendant, Judge Mark Lucraft KC adjourned his plea hearing until May 30. Report with picture: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2lz79q2y1vo

Lark Harbour Mayor Wade Park stated that the town is not pleased due to a lack of commitment to build a road to the 'MSC Baltic III' to allow for quicker salvage and clean up. The Coast Guard stated: “Canada follows the “polluter pay principle”. This means vessel owners are responsible for addressing all the hazards and risk of pollution posed by their vessel as well as all the associated costs. MSC has contracted T&T Salvage for removal of the heavy fuel oil and cargo on board the MSC Baltic III to mitigate the immediate hazards posed by the vessel. Eastern Canada Response Corporation has also been engaged by the vessel operator. Their role is to take actions to help prevent a spill and respond should one occur.’ CCG recognizes the impacts of weather on the timeliness of the operations and is committed to continue working in collaboration with MSC to advance contingency planning. Area residents and harvesters in particular have been growing increasingly concerned, fearful that potential pollution on board the compromised vessel, and the added activity in the area, will disrupt the fishing season. The Coast Guard said that Canada follows a “polluter pay” principle whereby the owners are responsible for addressing all the costs, hazards and the risk of pollution posed by their vessel. The Coast Guard resources remained on site in Lark, with additional pollution response equipment available and assets were in place to ensure that the owner is taking appropriate and reasonable measures to address all hazards posed by the vessel, including the remaining fuel and oil on board. Report with photos: https://vocm.com/2025/04/14/coast-guard-remains-on-scene-of-baltic-iii-salvage-efforts/

Isle of Wight ferry passengers face significant delays and cancellations on the evening of April 14, 2025, following a technical issue affecting the car ferry service’s boarding ramp, causing disruiptions to the service of the 'Wight Light',sailing between Yarmouth and Lymington, which cause delays of up to 90 minutes. Affected customers were advised to check in as usual, with foot passengers required to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.

The Ports of Jersey and a freight company have been told to improve safety measures after a 49-year-old deckhand of the 'Normandy Trader' slipped from a quayside ladder and fell seven metres deep between the ship and the quayside, breaking his leg, on Nov 21, 2024. The Jersey Maritime Administration's report found multiple safety failings contributed to the accident at St. Helier Harbour: The deckhand was not wearing a lifejacket and was carrying a rucksack while climbing the slippery vertical ladder with no fall prevention system. The company Normandy Trader Freight Services was told to review its risk assessments and Jersey Ports was asked to carry out a review of inspection processes of quayside ladders. It was likely he fractured his left tibia when he struck one of the ladder's securing lugs as he fell. He was still undergoing physiotherapy. Recommendations for the freight company included ensuring crew members do not climb or descend ladders while wearing rucksacks or carrying any items. Areview should take place into the possible use of a fall prevention device. The ladder was safe to use at the time of the accident but Jersey Ports should improve its safety through repairs and modifications. The accident had similarities to an incident in 2023 where a man died after falling between two ships on the same quay. Ports of Jersey should consider issuing a safety bulletin comprising of lessons learned from both accidents. Full report: https://www.gov.je/md/MDAttachments/Sustainable%20Economic%20Development/Decisions%20in%202025/MD-SED-2025-126%20FINAL-%20%20Jersey%20Administration%20Incident%20Report%20%20-%20MV%20Normandy%20Trader%20%20crew%20injury%20during%20egress%20to%20quay%2021Nov2024%20(4Feb2025).pdf