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LAST UPDATE | 7 hrs ago
A 59-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after the collision between a tanker and a cargo vessel in the North Sea.
Following the collision between a tanker and cargo vessel in the North Sea, off the coast of Grimsby, Humberside Police commenced a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision.
It is working in collaboration with the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch is undertaking a parallel preliminary assessment to establish the causes of the collision.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said “extensive work has already been carried out” and that Humberside Police is “working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected”.
Following police enquiries, a 59-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision.
This follows the conclusion of search operations by the HM Coastguard for the missing crew member.
“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,” said Nicholson.
Earlier, a spokesperson for the UK prime minister said there was no suggestion of foul play in the North Sea crash between a container ship and a US military chartered tanker.
Fires are still burning aboard both vessels after they collided in the North Sea off the East Yorkshire coast.
The owner of the cargo ship has confirmed that the ship was not transporting containers full of toxic sodium cyanide, which had previously been thought to be the case.
“We are able to confirm that there are no containers on board with sodium cyanide,” German shipping company Ernst Russ said in a statement.
“There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical and these containers will continue to be monitored.”
A crew member who was missing after the crash is now presumed dead, according to the UK’s junior transport minister Mike Kane.
A search for the missing crew member from the cargo ship had been called off last night. The British Coastguard said efforts to find the person from the Solong container ship had ended after “an extensive search”.
The maritime company managing the Stena Immaculate, Crowley, said the vessel was struck by the Solong while anchored off the coast of Hull, causing “multiple explosions” on board and jet fuel it was carrying to be released.
Crowley said it was unclear how much fuel may have been released, but that Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel in 16 segregated cargo tanks when it was struck.
The tanker was operating as part of the US government’s Tanker Security Programme, a group of commercial vessels that can be contracted to carry fuel for the military when needed.
It had been anchored while it waited for a berth to become available at the Port of Killingholme, on the River Humber, Crowley said.
A Downing Street spokesperson has said: ”I understand there doesn’t appear to be any suggestions of foul play at this time.”
The British Coastguard divisional commander Matthew Atkinson said an assessment of any required counter-pollution response was being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter were called to the collision in the Humber Estuary just before 10am.
One RNLI crew member told The Times the fog was so thick during the initial search and rescue crews could “not see a thing”.
It is understood the US and Portugal will lead investigations into the incident and that work is ongoing to establish the full contents of both ships.
Dr Tom Webb, senior lecturer in marine ecology and conservation at the University of Sheffield, said: “The wildlife of the Yorkshire coast and Humber Estuary is of immense biological, cultural and economic importance.
“In addition to the wealth of marine life that is present all year round, this time of the year is crucial for many migratory species.”
Martin Slater, of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, told the i Paper the coast was home to “protected and significant” seabird colonies, with many gathering offshore ahead of the nesting season.
Dr Alex Lukyanov, researcher on advanced mathematical models of oil spills from the University of Reading, said: “Oil spills like the one in the North Sea are affected by multiple factors.
“The size of the spill, weather conditions, sea currents, water waves, wind patterns, and the type of oil involved all play crucial roles in determining environmental outcomes.
“This particular incident is troubling because it appears to involve persistent oil, which breaks up slowly in water.
The environmental toll could be severe.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said it was an “extremely concerning situation” while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch had begun a preliminary assessment of the incident.
Crowley vice president Cal Hayden said: “As with all our operations, Crowley’s priority is to protect the safety of mariners and the environment.
“We greatly appreciate the quick actions and support of the UK authorities, rescue workers and others to today’s incident and remain committed to working with them on the continued response efforts.”
Michael Paterson, UK managing director of the tugboat firm Svitzer, told The Times seven of the company’s vessels were at the scene on Monday.
He said the incident was “one of the more serious that I’ve seen in my time”.
“We don’t know how long this will last, but the phases of this are normally search and rescue and firefighting containment, and then it moves into environmental control, pollution and salvage of the vessels,” he said.
“We understand the search and rescue is now complete, but the firefighting will clearly still continue.”
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Meh.
A watch that you have to charge daily ?
Just not practical. Why bother when you have your phone with you.
Which, depending on usage, you may have to charge daily.
I’m not convinced by any of these smart watches. What’s wrong with a “Thick as two short planks” watch? Stick a battery in, last couple years, and it tells the time.
That’s why you never but first generation of a new product. I’ll consider the third or fourth version
Better still, buy an automatic mechanical watch and you’ll never have to get a battery for it. And it’s kinda cooler when you think of this little engine running on your wrist.
Or a solar powered version , mine works great and automatically corrects its self each night with wave receptor. I expect it to our live me.
I just don’t get smart watches. I wouldn’t want to charge my watch every day. Not only that, but I prefer a normal watch. It’s more stylish!
I picked up a Samsung Gear fit last year for 100 quid when upgrading my phone. I wasn’t convinced when I got it but I have to say, I really like it now.
I’ve to charge it every 4 days or so overnight, which isn’t a hassle and nowadays, with the notifications that appear on screen I never take my phone from my pocket unless it’s something I need to reply to. Also, I hadn’t worn a watch in years and paying 100 for a watch doesn’t seem foolish.
It’s worth noting most of what I’ve said said above does not apply for the Apple watch…
Brave. Lol. Anti-Apple troll with very weak argument! You just could not resist…
If you say so, but I’m replying from my iPhone 5S while my 2011 MacBook Pro is beside me so your point is invalid, pal.
I can’t see myself buying one of these gadgets.
Is it just me or do all the straps look hideous?
It’s just you. Soz.
I was thinking the opposite, Neal.
I’m not a fan of rubber straps (stoppit!) but I think the colourful ones look good. The cheaper versions look better than the metal ones. It’s not a great looking watch at all though. I think some of the other smart watch offerings from other companies are streets ahead.
That said I still wouldn’t buy one. I’d never remember to charge the f’ing thing!
It looks more Fisher Price than Apple.
I’ll stick with my Breitling thank you very much!
Breitling is probably one watch brand which is even more vulgar that the Apple Watch, truth be told.
I like most of their styles, A few of the over the top ones are tacky.
The best way to have a jab at someone wearing a Breitling watch is to look at them assumingly and say, ‘Oh cool, so do you own your own plane or have a fractional lease?
Very good!
I find them far too blingy. Most of the bracelets are polished which just screams! I kind of like the Superocean though, but only on the “chain-link” type strap. The Navitimer is a bit of an horological masterpiece, but it’s too big for me.
Personally I love mechanical watches, I have several from different companies. I don’t see anything vulgar about them. But each to their own I guess!
I love mechanical watches too David, just not Breitlings. That was my point. I have some great automatics which I love and wouldn’t swap for an Apple Watch in a million years.
I agree about the bracelets on most of their models. I have the Navitimer 01 on black leather strap. I love it. I don’t think I’d ever buy the Apple watch, I prefer the old fashioned mechanical ones.
Probably because they are nothing special . Maybe the apple fanatics are finally copping on. There are much better looking / more functional smart watches out there .
Where can I buy the gold watch for 1200 euro ? I see a killing to be made.
Arrived this morning at 7am.
Don’t know what they’re saying there’s major fanfare everywhere and on all the social media sites here.
Though I do have to laugh… I wanted to try the fitness application because I’m concerned about my weight. Maybe try going to the gym then instead of spending two days outside the Apple Store.
You could also buy a weighing scales and weigh yourself after a brisk walk each day. Worked for people way before apple thought of this genius idea.
1 day battery life on a watch… haha funny that! Apple have said it needs to be re-charged nightly.
iRubbish for iFools.
iShutup
Ok hang on a second. This whole fitness thing. If i buy an Apple Watch and go for a run do i need to bring my iPhone with me? If so then whats the fuppin point father!!
And today’s Father Ted comment comes from…..
Pointless. But then, I had a manager 15 years my senior call me ‘old school’ for wearing a watch recently (instead of using my phone as a clock).
My watch charges itself on the kinetic energy of my moving arm. Why would I want a want a watch that needs to be plugged in every night? To show me the notifications I’m missing on my phone?
I stay in hotels at least once a week on average, 95% of which don’t have a plug near the bed. This would spend more time out of power than in power for me.
Smart phones are really just trying to force a gadget revolution where one isn’t needed. If I’m going to have wearable tech then I expect it to do something a little more, and at least convert my motion into energy.
I do own a GPS watch, but its for running, and doesn’t need to be any ‘smart’er than it is.
The gloss has been taken off Apple Down Under following revelations 2 weeks ago before a Senate Inquiry
the Apple Australasia is a subsidiary of Apple Ireland and that Apple uses the “Double Irish” to aggressively
minimise its Aussie tax. And by the look of it, Ireland’s reputation also took a body blow.
Apple is on the nose in Aus since a Senate Inquiry Down Under 2 weeks ago revealed that Apple may
not be a good corporate citizen-taxpayer due to a complicated supply arrangements via Ireland which
permits it to aggressively minimise its Australian tax. This has stunned many loyal Apple users down here.
They don’t mention that in order for the watch to work – you have to have the expensive iPhone also to connect it too.
Thanks but no thanks. 70%+ of Apples stuff comes from their genuine rival Samsung. Google it of you think this is false.
If I want something expensive in my life, I would (if I had rock in the head) vote for FG and Labour again in 2016 – not buy this over-priced stuff.
People complaining about having to charge it every day seem to be oblivious to the fact that watches and clocks used to have to be wound up every day.
have your say