North Sea collision reside updates: Foul play not dominated out after oil tanker carrying US navy jet gasoline crashes | EUROtoday

An American sailor from the Stena Immaculate has recounted his dramatic escape from the oil tanker.

Speaking to CBS News, the sailor, who remained nameless as crew members are at present restricted from talking to the media, mentioned he was near the purpose of influence when the collision occurred.

Suddenly, “a massive ship came from out of the blue,” he recalled, explaining that he had solely seconds to react.

He described listening to pressing shouts to brace earlier than the crash. He additionally famous that the Solong didn’t cease instantly, as a substitute ploughing into their ship for what felt like 10 minutes.

According to different crew members, it appeared that nobody was on the bridge of the Solong on the time of the collision, he added.

The HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution and Salvage (CPS) Team addresses maritime air pollution incidents. This ranges from oil spills to clutter reminiscent of plastics and timber.

Responsibility for responding to maritime air pollution throughout the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone, extending as much as 200 nautical miles from land, primarily falls to HM Coastguard.

However, Local port or harbour authorities deal with incidents inside their jurisdictions, usually deploying their counter-pollution tools, the coastguard’s web site says.

Environmental regulators just like the Environment Agency or native councils might take cost of air pollution originating from land.

If the air pollution exceeds the accountable occasion’s capability to handle, the CPS Team ensures an ample response to guard public well being and the setting. They collaborate with specialist businesses, together with nature conservation our bodies and fishery regulators, to evaluate potential impacts and information the response technique.

For large-scale incidents, they utilise devoted air pollution response tools and contractors, with stockpiles strategically situated throughout the UK to make sure fast deployment inside 15 hours.

A minister has sought to reassure the general public over the environmental influence of the collision.

Matthew Pennycook advised Times Radio on Tuesday the primary was “still raging” and the Government was “alive to the potential impacts on the environment”.

He mentioned: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are well equipped to contain and disperse any oil spills.

“We don’t think air quality impacts are outside of normal levels, but we will keep the situation obviously under review.

“It’s a fast-moving and dynamic situation, but all the necessary services are on the ground, both investigating and taking the immediate steps required.”

There are issues that the chemical spill might hurt the marine setting, notably seabird colonies on the East Yorkshire coast, which embody puffins, razorbills, gannets, and kittiwakes.

Martin Slater, director of operations on the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust charity advised The Telegraph: “If pollution spillage enters the Humber, this could potentially be devastating for the wildlife of the estuary, including important fish stocks and tens of thousands of overwintering and migrating birds who use the mud flats.”

US logistics group Crowley, which manages the oil tanker Stena Immaculate, confirmed that the vessel launched some jet gasoline because of a ruptured cargo tank.

The firm mentioned it had activated its emergency response plan and is “actively working with public agencies to contain the fire and secure the vessel”.

Crowley emphasised that its “first priority is the safety of the people and environment” and promised additional updates as extra info turns into obtainable.

Smoke billowed into the sky after an oil tanker collided with a cargo vessel within the North Sea on Monday, 10 March, inflicting a “massive fireball” off the coast of Yorkshire.

The incident is believed to contain a US-flagged tanker referred to as the MV Stena Immaculate, which is known to have been carrying aviation gasoline.

More than 30 casualties have been introduced ashore. The situation of these injured stays unclear; lifeguards and a coastguard helicopter scrambled to the scene following experiences {that a} “number of people” had deserted each ships.

The collision occurred within the Humber Estuary, with the alarm first raised at 9.48am.

Stena Immaculate’s chief govt confirmed to the BBC that each one crew had been accounted for and protected.