The North Sea became the site of a maritime disaster on March 10, when a container ship collided with an oil tanker off the coast of Hull, England, leaving one Filipino seafarer missing.
As the MV Solong slammed into the Stena Immaculate, a fireball erupted, forcing a frantic evacuation. Amid the chaos, one crew member never resurfaced.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed the incident on March 13, citing reports from the ship’s licensed manning agency.
According to the DMW, the missing crew member was aboard the Portuguese-flagged container ship MV Solong, which collided with the U.S. – flagged oil tanker Stena Immaculate at around 10:00 a.m. local time in the Humber Estuary, off Hull, United Kingdom.
The seafarer, whose identity has not been disclosed, was last seen at the bow of the MV Solong, the area that caught fire after the explosion.
“The seaman was last seen at the bow of the vessel, the area of the ship that caught on fire after the massive explosion,” the DMW said.
The agency said nine Filipino seafarers were aboard the MV Solong. While eight were rescued and are currently staying at a hotel in Grimsby, London, awaiting repatriation, the fate of their missing colleague remains unknown.
Collision triggers explosion
Reports said the Stena Immaculate was anchored 13 miles off Yorkshire when the MV Solong struck it at 16 knots (18 mph).
The impact ruptured at least one of the tanker’s 16 cargo tanks, leaking Jet A-1 fuel into the North Sea. While environmental agencies are monitoring the spill, initial assessments have not detected any toxic threats.
Initial reports also claimed the MV Solong was carrying sodium cyanide, but its owner, German firm Ernst Russ, later clarified that the chemical was not onboard.
Investigations underway
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is leading the probe into the cause of the collision.
“The official investigation into the cause of the incident is being undertaken by the UK authorities in coordination with the flag states of the vessels,” the DMW said.
Meanwhile, Humberside Police have taken the MV Solong’s 59-year-old Russian captain into custody. Reports indicate the vessel failed multiple safety checks last year, raising concerns about its seaworthiness.
Calls for transparency
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is demanding a full investigation.
“There are crucial questions that remain unanswered in the wake of this tragedy, and these must be addressed through full and transparent, internationally coordinated investigations,” ITF’s general secretary Stephen Cotton said in a statement.
He also stressed the need to examine crew working conditions and ensure fair treatment for all seafarers.
“It’s of vital importance that we understand the working conditions faced by the crew and that investigating authorities ensure fair treatment in line with international guidelines,” he added.
For the missing seafarer’s family in the Philippines, the wait is agonizing.
However, the DMW said, the ship’s manning agency has personally informed them and has committed to providing daily updates. The agency also assured that it is working closely with the manning company to provide all necessary support during this difficult time.
Meanwhile, Humberside Police has launched an investigation into the seafarer’s disappearance, while the UK MAIB is conducting a parallel inquiry into the crash, an effort that could take considerable time to conclude.
In the Philippines, cases of missing Filipino seafarers are not uncommon, yet they remain largely undiscussed in the maritime industry.
On March 6, Senate Committee on Migrant Workers Chairperson Senator Raffy Tulfo expressed concern over the rising number of unresolved cases involving missing Filipino seafarers, many of whom are never found.
Maritime Fairtrade has sought updates from Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, but he has yet to respond as of this writing.
Photo credit: iStock/ Vicenfoto
