American Oil Tanker Explosion off UK Coast Results in At Least 32 Injured

Early in the morning on March 10, a cargo ship off the coast of Yorkshire struck an anchored American oil tanker transporting jet fuel and caused a massive fireball explosion. An early statement from Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, states that there have been 32 casualties, but no reported deaths, so far. 

While anchored, the Crowley-managed tanker Stena Immaculate was struck by the Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong. The Stena Immaculate crew abandoned the vessel after the cargo tank containing jet fuel was ruptured, resulting in multiple explosions on board. A statement from Crowley reports that all Crowley mariners are safe and fully accounted for.

Three boats brought crew members ashore and ambulances were waiting to take any critically injured mariners to the Princess Diana hospital.

The Stena Immaculate oil tanker is one of a select few vessels the United States Department of Defense uses to transport jet fuel overseas. For this reason, the accident will be further investigated to ensure no foul play occurred but none is suspected at this time.

Potential Liability and Compensation

For injured parties and their families, this accident (and who can be held responsible for damages) may seem confusing given an American vessel was struck by a Portuguese vessel off the coast of the United Kingdom.

Attorney Matt Shaffer provides this insight: 

“This incident, while occurring in international waters, can and will be litigated in the United States. I am certain that both involved vessels will have insurance through a Protection and Indemnity (P&I) policy to cover any and all losses. Our firm has handled claims arising in a variety of maritime disasters, including the Deepwater Horizon, El Faro, and Globetrotter 2 incidents, the Titan 2 implosion, and helped write the playbook for litigating such claims”

Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, LLP has handled claims against Crowley for the last 5 decades with great success. Speaking with a hardworking maritime accident attorney can help mariners involved in this accident better understand their rights and opportunities for compensation. 

Shaffer went on to say “The vessel’s operator, Crowley Maritime, most likely will file a limitation of liability, seeking to limit its monetary exposure to the victims in a federal court, and might also try to shift responsibility to the owners and operators of Solong. We have substantial experience with mass casualty limitation cases and our client’s claims have never been limited.”

With various international parties and insurance policies involved, meticulous legal investigation may be needed to help define the rights and liabilities of each party in litigation. Speak with us today to learn more about this accident and what legal parameters exist.