A tanker involved in a collision with a cargo ship in the North Sea has released tiny plastic pellets into the ocean, sparking concerns over marine pollution. The Stena Immaculate and Solong collided on March 10, triggering an explosion and fires that have been extinguished.
The Russian captain of the Solong has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter after one crew member is presumed dead. However, the crew members of the Stena Immaculate are being hailed as heroes for their exceptional bravery in the face of disaster.
In a statement, Crowley, the maritime operations company managing the tanker, praised the 23 crew members on board, saying they demonstrated “exceptional bravery” and “quick action” to save lives and protect the vessel. The company credited them with executing critical fire and emergency duties, which helped minimize damage to the environment.
A total of 36 people were rescued from both vessels, including those who were injured during the collision. The HM Coastguard is continuing a retrieval operation to collect plastic nurdles, small balls of resin that can be toxic if ingested by wildlife.
The authorities are urging the public not to touch the material as it can still pose a risk. The shipping company Ernst Russ has confirmed that some containers on board the Solong contained plastic nurdles and is working with the coastguard to mitigate any long-term impact on the marine environment.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj3npryp6y7o