Devastating impact oil tanker bursting into flames after colliding with cargo ship could have on environment

The oil tanker that collided with a cargo ship, which formed a 'massive fire ball' could have a devastating impact on the environment.

A major maritime rescue mission has been underway in the North Sea, around 10 miles off the coast of England today (March 10), after two vessels crashed into one another and caught fire.

HM Coastguard confirmed the incident took place near the Humber Estuary while crews raised the alarm at around 9.48am.

Crews abandoned the vessels after there was a 'massive fireball' (Twitter/@TheSecretFF999)

The crash reportedly involved the US-flagged Stena Immaculate and the MV Solong from Portugal, with the former traveling from Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands when it allegedly careered into the stationary oil tanker.

While 37 casualties have been rescued from the waters around the burning wreckages which prompted a 'massive fire ball', it is feared the catastrophic collision could present irreversible ecological damage.

First of all, the oil tanker was believed to have been carrying Jet A1 fuel which a distress call revealed was 'on fire and in the water'.

Large-scale oil spills can contaminate marine ecosystems, harming birds, sea life and coastal habitats.

Sea life and birds can be directly harmed in oil spills (TATANG KIRANA/AFP via Getty Images)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says on its website that cleanups can 'never remove 100 percent' of oil spilled in the water.

Wildlife experts say a major bird colony of Gannets close to the impact site will be adversely impacted by the spill, reports the Metro.

Dave O’Hara, senior site manager at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, commented: "We are extremely concerned about the potential for a leak from the tanker as oil pollution can seriously damage habitats and be lethal to seabirds."

The Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue committee has also set up a dedicated 'oiled wildlife hotline' to treat animals, mostly birds, that will be affected by the incident.

A BBC climate and science reporter further said previous oil tanker spills have been 'responsible for some of the worst environmental disasters in the UK'. For instance, an incident in 1967 saw more than 100,000 tonnes of crude oil pollute the English Channel which killed thousands of sea birds.

Even with clean-up attempts, experts say not all of the oil from a spill can be fully removed (Getty Images)

The reporter added: "The size of the spill, weather and sea conditions, and the type of oil being carried play a big role in the outcomes for wildlife."

And in the case of the 1967 SS Torey Canyon spill, it was carrying both crude and 'persistent' oil like marine diesel which 'break up more slowly and can smother habitats and wildlife, affecting their ability to regulate their body temperature and can result in death.'

That, and both vessels being on fire and billowing black smoke into the atmosphere can present a short-term risk to wildlife like birds.

It is believed the US oil tanker was carrying jet fuel at the time of the collision (Twitter/@‌Tessaronnews)

Meanwhile, toxic light oils like diesel can kill animals that come into direct contact with them.

However, Greenpeace UK told the news outlet it is 'too early' to know the extent of the damage but stressed its 'great concern' having seen the speed of the collision and the fiery aftermath.

A spokesperson added: "Sea and weather conditions will also be important in determining how any spill behaves.

"In the case of an oil spill or any loss of hazardous cargo from the container ship involved, the speed of the response will also be crucial in limiting any impact."

The UK Coastguard also said it is looking at what its counter-pollution response may be in the wake of the incident.

A UK Coastguard spokesperson said: "The incident remains ongoing and an assessment of the likely counter pollution response required is being enacted."

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Baroness Hayman added: "We are speaking very closely in DEFRA (the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) to the Department for Transport and Maritime and Coastguard Agency, who are leading the Government response on this and who are at the moment assessing the situation."