Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Welcomes Discussions On Future Marine Safety One Year After Tanker Collision

One year after a tanker collision off the Yorkshire Coast, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is emphasising the importance of ongoing dialogue regarding incident management and the protection of the marine environment.

As the one-year anniversary of the tanker collision off the Yorkshire Coast arrives, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has issued a statement reflecting on the incident. While the event served as a stark reminder of the potential hazards facing the region's marine environment, the organisation is now highlighting the value of the constructive conversations that have followed.

The trust, which works extensively to protect the biodiversity of the North Sea, has expressed that it is welcoming the ongoing discussions regarding how to manage and respond to future maritime incidents. According to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, these proactive dialogues are essential for ensuring that there are robust frameworks in place to mitigate environmental risks along the coastline.

One year ago, two tankers collided 14 nautical miles from the mouth of the Humber Estuary; a space which includes one of the busiest ports in Europe, through which a third of the UK’s trade flows.

The collision was a tragedy for crewmember Mark Angelo Pernia who lost his life in the accident, and for his family, when his ship the Solong crashed into the Stena Immaculate. 

It was also a near-catastrophic miss for Yorkshire’s marine wildlife and coastal habitats, in an area with some of the most significant national and international protection for wildlife and habitat. The Humber Estuary provides vital feeding grounds for more than 100,000 birds on migration. 

Major incidents like this have the potential to wipe out generations and populations of wildlife and pollute protected places enjoyed by people for years to come. 

Martin Slater, Director of Operations at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust said; 

“Spurn is a very well-known Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve, and has a strategic position for the UK’s security and industry as well as a rich history in protecting our shores, all of which sits alongside the immense natural importance of the site.  

“What this incident brutally spotlit was the sheer vulnerability of wildlife and protected places, especially when situated so closely beside development and industry. Our wild habitat is being squeezed into smaller and smaller spaces by an increase in development in industrial and urban places like the outer Humber area, as well as by rising sea levels and an increasingly unpredictable climate. It’s vital that we make more space for nature, for its own protection and resilience.”

“The incident also led us to review our readiness for major incidents. In the case of Spurn, the Trust reiterates its strong support for the emergency services and planners. We welcome ongoing discussions about how we can be ready to support any future response through local knowledge of the area, as well as with practical support such as storage for equipment and recovery, in the unthinkable event of any future disasters in the Humber.”

By engaging with stakeholders and relevant authorities, the trust maintains that it is possible to better safeguard the fragile ecosystems found in the waters off areas such as Scarborough. The organisation suggests that learning from the events of the past year is a vital component in strengthening the overall resilience of the Yorkshire Coast.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust noted that while such collisions are a serious concern, the willingness of various parties to come together to discuss improvements in communication and response strategies provides a positive path forward. The trust remains committed to participating in these conversations, ensuring that the health of the marine landscape continues to be a central priority in future maritime planning and safety protocols.

Related Stories

• 
  Stena Immaculate Crew Praised for Collision Response

  17 Mar 2025 - The collision between the tanker and cargo vessel, Solong, off the coast of East Yorkshire last Monday resulted in fires aboard both vessels.
• 
  RNLI Thanks Volunteer Crews for North Sea Collision Response

  16 Mar 2025 - Volunteer lifeboat crews from five RNLI lifeboat stations assisted in a major incident following the collision of two vessels, the Solong and ...
• 
  Coastguard Report No Visible Pollution from Yorkshire Coast Tanker Collision

  13 Mar 2025 - The incident involved a collision between vessels Solong and Stena Immaculate off the coast of East Yorkshire at just before 10am on Monday.
• 
  One Person Missing After Yorkshire Coast Tanker Collision

  10 Mar 2025 - The incident involved a collision between vessels SOLONG and STENA IMMACULATE off the coast of East Yorkshire at just before 10am yesterday.