HM Coastguard issued its final regular update regarding this incident on Thursday 20th March; in his final briefing, Chief Coastguard Paddy O’Callaghan said: “The Solong and the 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, with aerial surveillance flights continuing to monitor both vessels and the retrieval operation. HM Coastguard will continue to keep the overall situation under review [but] 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”
The Humber Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre has asked members of the public to report any strandings of nurdles or possible pollution along the Lincolnshire or Norfolk coasts to report these on +44 (0) 344 382 0580
In subsequent news, it has been confirmed that the MV Solong, which suffered extensive fire damage as a result of the allision, is being towed to Aberdeen for further examination:
