Video footage captures moment of impact in North Sea vessel crash

Newly obtained video footage from a lookout system on the tanker Ionic Aspis shows the moment the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong collided with the anchored US-flagged tanker MV Stena Immaculate in the North Sea on Monday (10 March 2025).

The footage, which can be seen below, comprises two videos. One video, captured by the day cameras, shows the dense fog that would likely have prevented the crew of the feeder containership MV Solong from seeing the MV Stena Immaculate with the human eye. The second video, captured by the thermal cameras, shows the Solong‘s approach and the explosion as it ploughed into the tanker.

At the time of the accident, Ionic Aspis was anchored off the port of Grimsby close to the vessels. The lookout system on the ship was a SeaPod, developed by the AI-based digital watchkeeper platform Orca AI.

“This video footage clearly shows the context of the accident, that is the fog conditions at the time, while the moment of impact is also shown clearly,” says Yarden Gross, CEO of Orca AI.

“This week’s collision is another stark reminder of the fragility of maritime navigation. Despite technological advancements, crews still rely heavily on traditional navigation tools that struggle with target detection in low visibility conditions, rough weather and dense fog.

“Compounding these challenges, crew fatigue remains a critical issue, reducing reaction times and increasing the risk of human error. By integrating AI, ships can operate with greater autonomy, improving crew situational awareness, optimising response times and ultimately reducing risks. These advancements empower crews with smarter, data-driven decision-making tools to navigate safely and efficiently.”

The video footage has been made available to UK investigating authorities.

The collision, which occurred near the Humber Estuary off the eastern coast of England, saw both vessels catch fire. One crew member who had been aboard Solong is unaccounted for, with authorities calling off the search on Tuesday. The other 36 crew members from both ships were successfully rescued, with one person being hospitalised.

The tanker was carrying Jet-A1 fuel for the US Navy as part of a US government programme designed to supply American armed forces with fuel when needed.

The captain of the Solong, a Russian citizen, has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

Investigation into North Sea collision

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) immediately deployed inspectors to Grimsby after the crash to conduct a preliminary assessment and was later joined by representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board, the US Coast Guard and the Marine Safety Investigation Authority of Portugal.

Following consultations, it was agreed that MAIB would lead the safety investigation, with Portugal and the US acting as substantially interested states. The initial priority has been to allow emergency services to complete search and rescue efforts, secure the vessels and assess environmental risks. Meanwhile, MAIB has been gathering witness statements and digital data, with plans to conduct a detailed inspection and recover the Voyage Data Recorders (VDR) once conditions permit.

Initial findings confirm that Solong frequently travelled between Grangemouth and Rotterdam and was following a familiar route on the day of the accident. At 0130 UTC on Monday, it altered course near Longstone lighthouse and continued at approximately 16.4 knots before striking the anchored Stena Immaculate at 0947 UTC near the Humber River entrance.

Ongoing enquiries will examine navigational practices, crew fatigue management, vessel maintenance and environmental conditions at the time of the incident.