If you come across any nurdles or possible pollution along the Lincolnshire or Norfolk coast please call Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk - If possible, please provide a 'What Three Words' location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location.
Thursday 20 March, 10.30am
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “The SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable with salvage operations continuing.
“The counter pollution retrieval operation remains ongoing, with HM Coastguard and other specialist counter pollution assets continuing to assist this response. This includes supporting local authorities who are leading the onshore response in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
"Aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation.
"HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under review."
As the incident has now moved into the recovery phase this is the final regular update. We will release future statements only in the event of significant new information.
Wednesday 19 March, 5pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “The SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable with salvage operations continuing.
“The counter pollution retrieval operation remains ongoing, with HM Coastguard and other specialist counter pollution assets continuing to assist this response. This includes supporting local authorities who are leading the onshore response in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
"Aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation.
"As the incident has now moved into the recovery phase, HM Coastguard has downgraded the assessment of the situation and no longer considers this to constitute a major incident. HM Coastguard will however continue to support the salvage and multiagency retrieval operations while keeping the overall situation under review."
Wednesday 19 March, 10.15am
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “The SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.
“Fires on board the SOLONG have been extinguished and salvors are now accessing all parts of the vessel.
“The counter pollution retrieval operation is ongoing, with His Majesty’s Coastguard and other specialist counter pollution assets continuing to assist this response. This includes the local authorities who are leading the onshore response in both Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
"Aerial surveillance flights are monitoring both vessels and the retrieval operation daily."
Tuesday 18 March, 5.15pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "Both the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE continue to remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.
“Fires on board the SOLONG have been extinguished and temperature monitoring continues today.
“The retrieval operation of plastic nurdles continues both from the water and at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Coastguard Rescue Teams and other specialist counter pollution assets are assisting with this response.
“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation."
If you come across any nurdles or possible pollution along the Norfolk coast or surrounding areas please call Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre on 0344 382 0580 or email zone8@hmcg.gov.uk If possible, please provide a 'What Three Words' location or a grid reference to assist HM Coastguard to identify the exact location. In an emergency call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
Tuesday 18 March, 10am
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "Both the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.
“Fires on board the SOLONG have been extinguished and temperature monitoring has been set up.
“A retrieval operation continues today (18 March) after plastic nurdles were sighted in waters just off The Wash and at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Coastguard Rescue Teams and other specialist counter pollution assets are assisting with this response.
“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation."
Monday 17 March, 6pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "Both the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE remain stable and salvage operations are ongoing.
“The locations of the vessels are unchanged - the STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor and the SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location connected to a tug.
“There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the SOLONG which are not causing undue concern.
"A retrieval operation is underway after plastic nurdles were sighted in waters just off The Wash and at disparate locations along the shore between Old Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea. Coastguard Rescue Teams and other specialist counter pollution assets have been sent to assist with this response.
“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation."
Monday 17 March, 12.30pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: Yesterday (16 March) the RNLI advised the MCA of a sighting in waters just off the Wash of a sheen that we now know to be plastic nurdles. This was confirmed by aerial surveillance flights and other assets have subsequently been deployed. Some nurdles have now also been identified on the shore.
"Retrieval has started today.
“This is a developing situation and the Transport Secretary continues to be updated regularly.”
Background
- Nurdles are small pellets of plastic resin used in plastics production, sized between 1-5mm in size and weighing less than a gram.
- It is likely that the nurdles entered the water at the point of collision. Salvage operations at the Solong and the Stena Immaculate have been continuing.
Nurdles are not toxic but they can present a risk to wildlife if ingested.
HM Coastguard retrieval underway 
Nurdles seen on the shore next to a car key for scale (enlarged, left).
Friday 14 March, 2.45pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “Both vessels remain presently stable with salvors boarding both the STENA IMMACULATE and the SOLONG today to continue carrying out comprehensive damage assessments.
“The locations of the vessels are unchanged - the STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor. The SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location connected to a tug.
“There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the SOLONG which are not causing undue concern. Specialist tugs with firefighting capability remain at both vessels’ locations.
“Regular aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there continues to be no cause for concern from pollution from either the STENA IMMACULATE or from the SOLONG.
“The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also assisting in the response, and continues to advise that any public health risk on shore is deemed to be very low. The UKHSA will keep risk assessments under continual review as further information becomes available.”
Thursday 13 March, 5pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: “Both vessels are presently stable and salvors have been on board to carry out initial damage assessments to secure future safe access to both ships.
“The location of the vessels remains unchanged - the STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor. The SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location connected to a tug.
“Small pockets of fire are still reported to be on the top deck of SOLONG, these are being contained and monitored closely. Specialist vessels are present to support the firefighting effort.
“Aerial surveillance flights continue to monitor the vessels and confirm that there does not appear to be any pollution from either the STENA IMMACULATE or SOLONG.”
Thursday 13 March, 12.35pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), working with other partners, continues to support the joint response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE.
“The STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor. The SOLONG continues to be held in a safe location by tug. Small pockets of fire are still reported to be on the top deck of SOLONG and specialist vessels are supporting the firefighting efforts. Salvors will only board the vessels when it is safe to do so.
“Aerial surveillance flights will continue today to monitor the vessels.
“HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution and Salvage team has a comprehensive counter pollution response in place should it be required."
Images below taken on 12 March 2025 of the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE for media use.
Please credit to Maritime and Coastguard Agency in all use.
Wednesday 12 March, 8.20pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), working with other partners, continues to support the joint response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE.
“While no fire is visible on the STENA IMMACULATE there are still small pockets of fire on the top deck of the SOLONG. Specialist vessels with fire fighting capability continue to provide support to this aspect of the operation.
“The SOLONG has now been towed to a safe location with the STENA IMMACULATE remaining at anchor at its original location.
“Three aerial surveillance flights have taken place today and these have not indicated any pollution on the surface of the water attributable to either of the casualty vessels.
“HM Coastguard’s Counter Pollution and Salvage team has a comprehensive counter pollution response in place should it be required.
“Salvors will conduct on-board assessments of the vessels as soon as they are safe to board."
Wednesday 12 March, 2pm
Images taken from an HM Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft on 11 March 2025 of the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE for media use.
Please credit to Maritime and Coastguard Agency in all use.
Wednesday 12 March, 11.30am
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Chief Executive Virginia McVea said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is continuing to coordinate the response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE.
“There have been no further reports of pollution to the sea from either vessel beyond what was observed during the initial incident. HM Coastguard’s counter pollution and salvage team has a comprehensive counter pollution response in place should it be required. Salvors also have equipment and personnel ready to respond to any pollution.
“The MCA is working with the salvage companies who are responding on behalf of the vessels’ owners and are working in full co-operation with all commercial and government partners. The overarching objective is to protect the public and the environment to the best of our ability, during this ongoing incident response.
“The SOLONG is being held in a safe position offshore by a tug and further support vessels remain in the ship’s immediate vicinity. This morning’s (12 March) assessment shows the fires on board the ship have greatly reduced in their extent and intensity.
“The STENA IMMACULATE remains at anchor, with safety tugs in position should they be required. There are no visible flames on board and an on-board assessment may be carried out later today.
“Salvors will only board the vessels when it is safe to do so. Only then will it be possible to carry out comprehensive damage assessments.”
Tuesday 11 March, 6pm
Assistant Chief Coastguard John Craig said: "The Maritime and Coastguard Agency continues to coordinate the response to the collision between the SOLONG and the STENA IMMACULATE which took place yesterday morning (10th March) to the North East of the Humber Estuary.
"The vessels were interlocked and held in place by the anchor of the STENA IMMACULATE, before the SOLONG detached and drifted south overnight. A tow line has now successfully been put in place and a tug is holding SOLONG offshore in a safer position. There are still some flames visible on the main deck of the SOLONG and firefighting is focusing on this area. A salvage plan is being developed with the appointed salvors on scene.
"A second salvage company has been engaged for the STENA IMMACULATE, which remains at anchor, with safety tugs on scene. The fire on STENA IMMACULATE is greatly reduced with no flames visible.
"A comprehensive counter pollution response is in place and HM Coastguard continues to make preparations for any pollution that may occur as a result of the damage to the vessels.
"The MCA's concern in relation to tanks on the SOLONG has reduced with tugs now able to work in close vicinity.
"The threat from the previously identified Dangerous Goods on board has reduced significantly. Air quality sampling onshore has shown no toxins and modelling from the Met Office indicates no threat to the public.
"We continue to engage actively with Humberside Police, salvors, the port authorities and other agencies to protect the public and the environment as far as possible while continuing to respond to the developing situation."
Tuesday 11 March, 12.06pm
Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan said: "His Majesty’s Coastguard is supporting the Secretary of State's Representative (SOSREP) in the response to the collision between two vessels, the SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE, that occurred yesterday morning (10 March) off the coast of East Yorkshire.
"The SOLONG is still alight and the fire on board the STENA IMMACULATE has greatly diminished. Safety vessels and other vessels with firefighting capabilities are still on scene with more arriving today.
"At 11.20pm last night the SOLONG separated from the STENA IMMACULATE and began to drift southwards, this is being monitored by HM Coastguard. An exclusion zone of 1km radius has been put in place around both vessels.
"The Counter Pollution and Salvage Team is assessing the situation and is developing a plan ready for implementation as soon as the situation allows.
"The SOSREP is working with ship owners, salvors and insurance companies.
"The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is monitoring the situation closely and has confirmed that air quality at ground level is currently within normal levels for the weather conditions.
"The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is also assisting in the response, and has advised that any public health risk on shore is currently deemed to be very low.
"UKHSA risk assessments are under continual review as further information becomes available."
Correction from statement issued at 9:30pm (10 March): One person was not taken to hospital as previously reported, they were treated on scene and declined further medical assistance. To confirm 36 people were brought safely to shore, sadly one crew member of the SOLONG remains unaccounted for.
Monday 10 March, 9.30pm
Matthew Atkinson, Divisional Commander for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard has been coordinating the response to an incident reported at 9.48am this morning (10 March). The incident involved a collision between vessels SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE off the coast of East Yorkshire.
“Fires were reported on both vessels, two HM Coastguard helicopters, a coastguard fixed wing aircraft and RNLI lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes were sent, along with several nearby vessels with firefighting capabilities.
“36 crew members were taken safely to shore. One crew member of the SOLONG remains unaccounted for, after an extensive search for the missing crew member sadly they have not been found and the search has ended.
“The two vessels remain on fire and coastguard aircraft are monitoring the situation.
“An assessment of any required counter pollution response is being carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Secretary of State’s Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention is working with the salvors and insurance companies.
“The incident remains ongoing and updates will be provided throughout.”
Monday 10 March, 12.30pm
HM Coastguard is currently coordinating the emergency response to reports of a collision between a tanker and cargo vessel off the coast of East Yorkshire resulting in fires aboard both vessels. The alarm was raised at 9.48am.
A Coastguard Rescue Helicopter from Humberside was called, alongside lifeboats from Skegness, Bridlington, Maplethorpe and Cleethorpes, an HM Coastguard fixed wing aircraft, and nearby vessels with fire-fighting capability.
The incident remains ongoing and an assessment of the likely counter pollution response required is being enacted.
Main photo: SOLONG pictured on 11 March 2025 (Photo: Maritime and Coastguard Agency)
