The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into a maritime incident involving a Filipino seafarer who went missing following a collision between a chemical tanker and a container ship near the northeast coast of England. The collision occurred in the Humber Estuary, Hull, United Kingdom, on March 10, 2023, during which the MV Solong, a Portuguese-flagged vessel, collided with the Oil Tanker Stena Immaculate.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that the missing Filipino seafarer was last seen at the ship’s bow before a significant explosion led to a fire onboard. Out of the 14 crew members aboard the MV Solong, nine were Filipinos. The other eight crew members were rescued and are currently in Grimsby, London, awaiting repatriation. Additionally, British authorities successfully rescued a number of American and Russian seafarers from the incident. The captain of the Solong, a Russian national, has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The DMW has kept the family of the missing seafarer informed, and the licensed manning agency involved has committed to providing them with daily updates. The DMW emphasized its coordination with the manning agency and the families to offer support and necessary assistance during this challenging time.
In a statement, ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton expressed grave concerns about the unanswered questions remaining after the incident, highlighting the importance of understanding the crew’s working conditions and the need for a full, impartial investigation. While the ITF has stated that the missing seafarer is presumed dead, the DMW has refrained from using that terminology.
Cotton assured that the ITF’s primary focus is to support the affected seafarers. The federation has dispatched an inspector to the site and is in contact with American union representatives and the crew of the Solong to ensure they receive the necessary care and support in the aftermath of this tragedy.
The incident has raised significant concerns about maritime safety and highlight the need for comprehensive international cooperation among maritime authorities to ensure accountability and prevent such tragedies in the future. The ITF’s call for a coordinated investigation underscores the urgency to address these matters, ensuring that the rights and welfare of seafarers are upheld in the maritime industry.
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