A Russian captain has been detained by British police following a crash involving his container ship and a U.S. Navy oil tanker in the North Sea. While investigations continue into the cause of the incident, which resulted in one crew member's presumed death, officials have not found evidence of foul play or intentional wrongdoing.
Russian Captain Detained After North Sea Collision Involving U.S. Navy Tanker
Russian Captain Detained After North Sea Collision Involving U.S. Navy Tanker
The captain of the Russian-owned Solong container ship faces serious charges after a collision with a U.S. Navy-operated tanker raises questions about maritime safety and operational protocols.
The captain of a cargo vessel that collided with an oil tanker, subsequently operated by the U.S. Navy, has been identified as a Russian citizen, according to the shipping company Ernst Russ. The incident, which occurred on Monday in the North Sea about 13 nautical miles from England's northeastern coast, led to the arrest of the ship's captain on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
After crashing into the Stena Immaculate tanker, the Solong experienced significant explosions and fire, prompting both crews to abandon their vessels. Currently, one crew member from the Solong is missing and is feared dead. Despite the captain’s nationality, British lawmakers have indicated that there is no evidence suggesting that it played a decisive role in the crash; Russian seafarers comprise roughly 10 percent of the global maritime workforce.
British police are actively investigating the incident and arrested the 59-year-old captain on Tuesday, as well as stating that he and his team are cooperating with authorities. The Solong's collision with the oil tanker that was stationary has led to questions about the effectiveness of radar and alert systems onboard, as the crash occurred in broad daylight.
Transportation Minister Mike Kane stated in Parliament that, while there is no current evidence of foul play, “something did go terribly wrong” leading up to the crash. The Stena Immaculate, owned by the Crowley Logistics Company based in Florida, had been chartered for U.S. military operations at the time of the incident.
The investigation has seen coordination between British, American, and Portuguese officials as they seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding the collision.
