Stena Immaculate crew praised for bravery; Solong is carrying plastics found in marine environment

Solong confirmed to have platics on board now found at sea and on shore

The UK’s largest lifeboat service, non-profit charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institution identified a ’sheen’ in an area of sea proximate to the ship collision that the MCA said "we now know to be plastic nurdles".

The MCA’s explanation that "nurdles are small pellets of plastic resin used in plastics production, sized between 1-5 mm in size and weighing less than a gram" categorises the nurdles as microplastics, according to UK-based international nature conservation charity and NGO, Faua & Flora International. Nurdles are by definition a microplastic because they are less than 5 mm in size, the group said.

Solong shipmanager Ernst Russ has confirmed that its vessel had containers on board carrying the plastic.

“A number of containers on board Solong contain plastic nurdles. We understand that no containers holding nurdles have been lost over the side," the company said.
“What we understand may have occurred, is that intense heat during initial firefighting efforts caused one or more of the openings of some of the smaller containers to open, resulting in the release of some contents.

The MCA explanation on the nurdle pollution said "it is likely that the nurdles entered the water at the point of collision". MCA called the nurdles non-toxic but descriptions from Fauna & Flora of the impact of nurdles explain the environmental threats they pose. 

"These small round plastics usually float on the surface of the water where many species feed. They’re easily mistaken for fish eggs and other foods by a variety of species, including turtles, fish and seabirds. When eaten, plastic gives the feeling of being full, which eventually leads to starvation and death for many species. Nurdles are also magnets for toxic pollutants; they attract chemical toxins from the water around them and adsorb them like a sponge. These pollutants can build up in the fatty tissues of species, including those we eat," the organisation said.

The MCA said it has begun the process of ’retrieval’ of the nurdles after aerial surveillance flights confirmed the spill.

"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," the MCA said.

Fauna & Flora categorise nurdles and other microplastics, generally, as a "great threat to marine life," with health implications throughout the food chain, including in humans.

Ernst Russ said Solong’s shipowners had "deployed assets" in a mitigation attempt while working the MCA.  

The MCA has asked anyone who finds nurdles or possible pollution along the Norfolk coast or surrounding areas to 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," MCA said.

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