Crew Of U.S.-Flagged Tanker Honoured With Gallant Ship Award After Deadly North Sea Collision

Crew members aboard the U.S.-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate have received the U.S. Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Gallant Ship Award for their response during a deadly collision in the North Sea last year.

The 23-member crew was honoured during National Maritime Day observances in Washington, D.C. on May 22, 2026. The award recognises bravery and seamanship during emergencies at sea.

The award was given for the crew’s actions during a March 10, 2025 allision off the coast of Hull, United Kingdom, when the anchored Stena Immaculate was struck by the Portuguese-flagged containership Solong.

At the time of the incident, the tanker was carrying more than 220,000 barrels of jet fuel under charter to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command. The vessel was also operating under MARAD’s Tanker Security Program.

According to the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch’s interim report, Solong struck the tanker near the Humber Estuary at about 16 knots in patchy visibility conditions.

The collision damaged one of the tanker’s cargo tanks and caused a major fire. One Filipino seafarer, Mark Angelo Pernia, died in the incident.

Despite the danger, the crew of Stena Immaculate evacuated safely without serious injuries.

Crowley said the mariners also activated the vessel’s fire monitors before abandoning ship, helping reduce further damage to the vessel and the environment.

“This honor for the crew of the Stena Immaculate underscores the essential role that U.S. mariners play in safely sustaining supply chains and supporting national defense at home and abroad,” said James C. Fowler, executive vice president and division president of Shipping & Logistics at Crowley.

At the time of the collision, the tanker was managed by Crowley through its joint venture with Sweden-based Stena Bulk AB. Crowley also provided the vessel’s crew.

The incident later led to criminal proceedings in the United Kingdom. In February 2026, Solong captain Vladimir Motin, a Russian national from St. Petersburg, was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and sentenced to six years in prison.

Prosecutors said the anchored tanker had been visible on radar for 36 minutes before the collision, but no action was taken to avoid the impact.

Reference: Crowley