Will we ever know full facts behind collision involving cargo ship and tanker laden with military aircraft fuel?

  

Up in smoke - the horrific scene off the Yorkshire Coast

WAS the radar on the cargo ship MV Solong  hacked by agents acting for a 'bad actor' nation that is hostile to Britain?

Was at least part of of the aircraft fuel cargo on the tanker Stena Immaculate destined for RAF Coningsby where personnel are on global tension standby?

Both unlikely, but these are among the early conspiracy theories that have sprung up in the wake of the collision between the two vessels off the Yorkshire coasts mid-morning today.

There will doubtless be many more such theories between now and the conclusion of the wide-ranging and intensive investigation which is now underway but which may take many months to complete.

The initial focus will be on the course being taken by the Solong at the time of the accident and the whether the Stena Immaculate had been anchored at a safe location away from a shipping lane?  

And  it is possible that, if they are deemed diplomatically sensitive,  not all the facts will see light of day.

In the meantime, there can only be gratitude that, as of 5pm today, there had been no word of any loss of life among those on board the two ships, though, worryingly, at least of the Solong crew is said to be missing.

Some 36 men were rescued, none with any life-threatening injuries, thence to be ferried to the port at Grimsby to be checked in a fleet of East Midlands ambulances.

They may owe their lives to the men on board two pilot boats and a windfarm support vessel that rescued them as they bobbed about in life rafts near the blaze.  

Government ministers, including PM Sir Keir Starmer, are being kept updated as  are MPs, Melanie Onn (Lab, Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) and Martin Vickers (Con, Immingham and Brigg).

The point of collision off Withernsea is a patch of sea often used as an anchoring point for tankers waiting to sail down the Humber to their port of destination.

It was the focus of attention soon in March 2022, soon after the Ukraine conflict when the crew of a  Russian oil tanker,  Seavictory, spent several weeks awaiting instructions after being forbidden entry to any Humber port as a result of sanctions.

* Wildlife trusts warn of threat to seals and puffins from oilspill.  

Report at: The Wryneck