Filipino seafarer missing after tanker collision in UK

A Filipino seafarer has gone missing following a collision between a chemical tanker and container ship off the northeast coast of England on Monday, March 10.

The incident occurred at around 10 am local time in Humber Estuary, Hull, United Kingdom, involving MV Solong, a Portuguese-flagged vessel with a crew of 14, including nine Filipinos; one was last seen at the bow where an explosion and fire later took place.

British authorities rescued other seafarers from both ships while the Russian captain of MV Solong was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) confirmed that eight Filipino crew members were safely rescued and are currently accommodated in a hotel in Grimsby, London, awaiting repatriation.

UK authorities have launched an official investigation into the cause of the incident with coordination from flag states of the vessels; investigations aim to determine how MV Solong collided with US-flagged Stena Immaculate which was anchored 13 miles off Hull’s coast.

The DMW is coordinating closely with the licensed manning agency and families of affected seafarers, including providing daily updates on the investigation for the family of the missing crew member.