A MAN has been arrested in connection with the collision off Hull, UK yesterday.

Humberside Police said it had opened a criminal investigation into the cause of the collision.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Supt Craig Nicholson, said “extensive work has already been carried out, and we are working closely with our partners to understand what happened, and to provide support to all of those affected”.

“Following enquiries undertaken by my team, we have arrested a 59-year-old man on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the collision, this follows the conclusion of search operations by UK Coastguard for the missing crew member of Solong (IMO: 9322554).”

“Our thoughts are with the family of the missing crew member, and I have appointed family liaison officers to make contact and provide support to the family.

“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.”

At around 0948 hrs local time on March 10, Madeira-flagged, 2005-built, 803 teu containership Solong collided with US-flagged, 2017-built, 49,647 dwt combined chemical and oil tanker Stena Immaculate (IMO: 9693018) off Hull, UK.

UK Coastguard dispatched a helicopter and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution launched several vessels too.

Shipping minister Mike Kane MP told the UK’s House of Commons that the coastguard’s assessment was that Solong was “unlikely to stay afloat”. 

“Tugs are in the vicinity to ensure that Solong remains away from the coast and to respond as the situation develops,” he said, explaining that the containership continues to drift at a rate of two nautical miles per hour. 

“Modelling suggests that, should Solong remain afloat, it will remain clear of land for the next few hours,” he told Parliament. 

The operator of Stena Immaculate, Crowley, said all of its seafarers were ashore and accounted for. But one member of Solong’s crew remained missing as of 0927 hrs on March 11.

The search for the missing seafarer was called off at 1904 hrs on March 10, the coastguard confirmed. 

Mike Kane said his government's working assumption was that the seafarer had lost their life. 

Solong’s owner, Ernst Russ, said it extended its “deepest sympathy to the family of the missing crew member, mindful that the search has been called off. Our first thoughts must be with them at this uncertain and distressing time”.

“All necessary support is being provided to the family.”

The latest update from the coastguard is that Solong remains alight, although the fire on Stena Immaculate is “greatly diminished”. At around 2320 hrs Solong separated from the tanker and began to drift southwards. An exclusion zone of 1 km is in force around both vessels.

Stena Immaculate was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel when the incident happened, and one of its cargo tanks was ruptured in the collision.

The coastguard had previously reported that Solong was carrying containers of sodium cyanide, but Ernst Russ has since confirmed that is not the case.

“There are four empty containers that have previously contained the hazardous chemical and these containers will continue to be monitored,” the owner said.

“Our team is actively engaged with all local authorities, and we will work with clean-up teams to ensure every effort is made to mitigate further impacts on the marine environment.

“Ernst Russ will fully assist with the investigations that are to follow.”

Dutch salvage firm Boskalis told Lloyd’s List it would be leading the salvage effort for Stena Immaculate, but could not comment on the current condition of the tanker.

UK Coastguard said its Counter Pollution and Salvage team is developing a plan ready for implementation as soon as conditions allow.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is also undertaking a preliminary investigation into the cause of the collision alongside the police investigation.