Russian Captain Arrested After Cargo Ship Collision in North Sea
Captain in Custody
The captain of the cargo vessel Solong, which collided with a U.S. tanker in the North Sea, is a Russian national and remains in U.K. police custody, the ship’s owner confirmed on Wednesday.
The 59-year-old captain, whose name has not been disclosed, was arrested in northeast England on Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence. However, authorities have not yet filed formal charges.
Crew and Ship Background
The Solong, a Portugal-flagged cargo vessel owned by the German shipping company Ernst Russ, had a crew of 14 members consisting of Russian and Filipino nationals.
Port inspection records reveal previous safety concerns. In July, the Solong failed a steering-related safety check in Dublin, Ireland, due to unreadable “emergency steering position communications/compass reading.” Inspectors identified 10 deficiencies, including inadequate alarms, improperly maintained survival craft, and non-compliant fire doors.
Another inspection in Scotland in October flagged two additional deficiencies, but the ship was not detained after either review.
Details of the Collision
The accident occurred on Monday when the Solong collided with the MV Stena Immaculate, a 183-meter (596-foot) tanker transporting jet fuel for the U.S. military. The collision sparked fires aboard both vessels.
One Solong crew member is missing and presumed dead, while the other 36 crew members from both ships were safely rescued without major injuries.
Ongoing Fire and Environmental Concerns
As of Wednesday, the Solong was still drifting and on fire, but officials believe it is unlikely to sink.
The Stena Immaculate was operating under the U.S. government’s Tanker Security Program, which contracts commercial vessels to transport fuel for military needs. The impact of the crash resulted in jet fuel spilling into the sea, raising concerns about environmental damage.
Environmentalists warn that the spill could threaten marine life, including whales, dolphins, and seabirds such as puffins, gannets, and guillemots that inhabit the coastal cliffs. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely to assess the extent of the damage and implement mitigation measures.
