MILFORD HAVEN LINKS TO LARGE SCALE MARITIME RESCUE OPERATION

A MAJOR maritime disaster unfolded in the North Sea on Monday morning after a collision between an oil tanker and a cargo vessel resulted in multiple casualties and a large-scale emergency response. The incident, which occurred approximately 10 miles off the coast of East Yorkshire, has led to 32 people being brought ashore to Grimsby, with ongoing concerns for the welfare of any unaccounted crew members.

The vessels involved in the collision have been identified as the MV Stena Immaculate, a 183-metre-long oil tanker, and the Solong, a 140-metre-long cargo ship bound for Rotterdam. Tracking data indicates that the Solong struck the Stena Immaculate while it was anchored, leading to a severe impact that reportedly caused a “massive fireball.”

Massive rescue operation underway

Svitzer tugs have been deployed as part of the rescue operation. The company, well known in the Port of Milford Haven, has operated locally for many years. Some of the tug crew involved in the response off Grimsby will have previously worked alongside their counterparts in Milford Haven, strengthening the connection between the two maritime communities.

The tugs Svitzer Harty, Svitzer Josephine, Svitzer Madeline, Svitzer Laura, Svitzer Standford, and Svitzer Castle are all in the area, indicating their involvement in the rescue effort.

The alarm was raised at 9:48am, prompting an immediate response from HM Coastguard. A helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, lifeboats from multiple locations, and vessels with fire-fighting capabilities were deployed to the scene. Casualties were swiftly transported to shore, with emergency services working to assess their conditions.

The Milford Haven Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) is not typically be directly involved in the coordination of a major incident in the North Sea, as it primarily covers emergencies in its designated area along the Welsh coastline and surrounding waters. However, as part of the UK-wide Coastguard National Network, it will be providing support if and when additional resources or coordination assistance were required.

The UK Coastguard operates a centralized system where all MRCCs, including Milford Haven, are interconnected. This allows them to share information and resources during large-scale incidents. Milford Haven could contribute by handling overflow communications or deploying additional resources from its region.

Martyn Boyers, chief executive of the Port of Grimsby East, described the unfolding emergency, saying: “We were put on standby at around 11:00am to receive casualties. The first group of 13 were rescued by a crew transfer vessel, followed by another 10 on a harbour pilot boat. A further nine arrived soon after, bringing the total to 32. Ambulances were waiting at the port to take them to Princess Diana Hospital, and the area remains secured by police.”

Weather and visibility factors

While the sea conditions were described as “reasonable,” with wave heights of around two metres, heavy fog and haze throughout the morning may have contributed to the collision. Despite the advanced navigation and radar technology on board modern vessels, visibility issues are being investigated as a potential factor in the incident.

Boyers added: “It’s very unusual for such a serious accident to happen given the technology these ships have. The fog this morning never lifted, so visibility may have been an issue.”

Crew safety and ongoing investigations

The BBC has confirmed that all crew members on board the Stena Immaculate are accounted for and safe. However, reports indicate that some crew members from the Solong may still be unaccounted for, and search operations continue.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander expressed her concern, stating: “I’m concerned to hear of the collision between two vessels in the North Sea this morning and am liaising with officials and HM Coastguard as the situation develops. I want to thank all emergency service workers involved for their continued efforts in responding to the incident.”

Video footage circulating online appears to show thick black smoke rising from the vessels, reinforcing earlier reports that a fire broke out following the impact. Maritime safety investigators are working to determine the exact cause of the collision, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been informed.

Impact beyond the North Sea

While the collision occurred off the East Yorkshire coast, the implications stretch far beyond. Milford Haven, one of the UK’s busiest ports, will be monitoring developments closely. As a major hub for energy shipments, including oil and gas, any disruption in maritime traffic has the potential to impact operations along the Welsh coast.

Marine expert Captain Glyn Garland from Sardis, Pembrokeshire, former Supertanker Captain and recently retired Marine Superintendent at Dragon LNG said that it was too early to speculate on the causes of the incident but would keep in touch with this newspaper more information becomes available.

Authorities are urging caution for vessels in the region as investigations continue.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as more details emerge.

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been jailed for six years after attempting to hide nearly 50 grams of cocaine under the seat of a police car after he was arrested.

Shaun Clawson, age 39, had been travelling as a passenger in a Seat Leon car on February 1, when officers stopped the vehicle on the A40 near St Clears.

Clawson was found with a phone, a cling film wrap and spoon containing traces of white powder in the footwell where he had been sitting.

After being arrested, police in-car camera footage showed Clawson removing a cling-film wrap from the back of his trousers and dropping it on the floor of the car while being conveyed to custody.

The wrap contained an approximate 48.5g of crack cocaine worth an estimated £4,850.

Clawson pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Three other suspects were also arrested at the scene for possession with intent to supply a class A drug and have been bailed pending further enquiries. 

Detective Sergeant Vinny Barrett, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “This sentence should serve as a warning to anybody considering engaging in the supply of illegal drugs that Dyfed-Powys Police will not tolerate the supply of class A drugs into our communities. We will seek to relentlessly target those who engage in the supply of illegal substances.”

To report anything suspicious or concerns about the selling and taking of drugs in the community contact Dyfed-Powys Police either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk, or by calling 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

To seek advice and support, visit https://barod.cymru/where-to-get-help/west-wales-services/ddas-dyfed-drug-and-alcohol-service/

Anyone who has had the honour of showing a dog at Crufts – known internationally as the biggest and greatest dog show in the world – will understand just how important that infamous green carpet is. As soon as feet and paws descend upon it, the exhibitors  know that they really have entered the golden realms of top showing.

Last weekend a 23-year-old Pembrokeshire woman fulfilled her lifetime’s ambition after entering that prestigious green-carpeted ring to earn herself a magnificent third place in the championship handling classes.

“It really was a dream come true,” said Ffion Thomas after she was placed third in the Young Kennel Club Handling competition after showing Dylan, who is a seven-year-old Chinese Crested powderpuff.

“It’s very difficult to describe the excitement we feel when we enter the ring at Crufts because that green carpet really does mean something very special.  When you step onto it something just clicks, and you start to feel that incredible sense of adrenalin that only Crufts can produce.”

Ffion was introduced to dog handling at a very young age after her father, Emyr, presented his wife Kathryn with a beautiful little weimaraner puppy as a Christmas present.

“My father has often said that this was one of the worst mistakes of his life, because my mother then started showing the dog…and as much as my father loved the animal, he certainly didn’t enjoy the showring,” laughs Ffion.

Needless to say, seven-year-old Ffion soon found herself bitten by the dog showing bug.

“I was obviously too small to handle a weimaraner, so I started showing our King Charles Spaniel and our little chihuahua, and from both those dogs I learnt the basic handling techniques are required for the show ring.”

For the last 17 years, Ffion has perfected those techniques to the extent that  last year, following a major win at the West of England Ladies Kennel Society Show in Malvern – when she showed  the family’s three-year-old chihuahua, Elsa – Ffion qualified for a place in the senior handling class at this year’s Crufts.

“Yes, it’s a frightening prospect because Crufts is obviously the biggest dog show in the world, and the only one of its kind.  But I realised how fortunate I was to have had the opportunity to get into that show ring, and I was determined to enjoy every moment and hopefully pass that positive feeling onto the dog.”

And this is one of the key factors in getting a dog to perform well for the judges.

“It’s important to try and form a strong rapport with the dog,” continued Ffion.

“A lot of a handler’s anxiety or nervousness can get passed down the lead, so it’s important to try and send the right signals across to your dog.

“And a dog will always feel that tension, so on Friday I just kept telling myself how lucky I was to be there, get onto that carpet and make things work.”

As a result of Ffion’s flawless handling, she fought her way through 11 finalists which included both toy and utility dogs. to reach the shortlist of five.  And after some near-perfect handling, Ffion was put into third place, despite being the highest placed toy dog handler.

“We were in the ring for around 45 minutes, which  is a long time to keep a dog calm and happy.  Initially the dogs are lined up for  the judge to look at them briefly, before they then start  looking at the dogs’ movement.  And this is when we have to walk the dogs around the ring in a circular movement.”

Toy dogs, like Dylan, are then placed onto a show table where they are expected to retain a perfect posture throughout their inspection by the judge.  Sometimes the judge will deliberately move the dog’s paw or leg, requiring the handler to return it to its precise position, while the handler is also expected to display the dog’s teeth in a particular manner.  The judge may also pounce questions on the handler relating to the dog’s origins, its breed traits and its anatomical issues.  Once the individual assessment is completed, the dog is then required to move around the ring in a set pattern, normally a triangle, extending from the right corner, the left corner and then back to the judge.

“Dylan is a beautiful dog to handle, despite the Chinese Crested breed sometimes being considered difficult, as they’re not always friendly towards other dogs,” continued Ffion.

“And then of course, handling is a very personalised thing, where everyone has their own particular way of doing things.  So you never really know what the judge is going to want from the handler.  All you can do is remain confident with your own style and just hope that the judge will like it too.”

Despite last weekend’s success when  Ffion and all the other exhibitors and handlers walked away with prizes from the most prestigious dog show in the world,  their thoughts are already turning to Crufts 2026.

“My class is open to young handlers up to the age of 24, which means I’ve got one more left to handle at Crufts,” said Ffion.

“So already we’re starting to think about which shows to get to this year, with the hope of qualifying once again in 2026.  Living in London – [Ffion is currently working towards an MA in vocal performance at the Royal Academy of Music] – obviously makes things a bit more difficult, but dog handling is definitely something that’s in my blood.  And I can’t think of a life without going to shows and doing my absolute best for the dogs.”