A London court has handed down a six-year prison sentence to a Russian container ship captain convicted in connection with a fatal crash between his vessel and a U.S. oil tanker off Britain’s east coast. The incident, which ignited intense scrutiny of maritime safety practices, claimed the life of a crew member whose body was never recovered.
Court Conviction and Sentence
Vladimir Motin, 59, a Russian national and master of the Portuguese-flagged Solong, was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter in a London trial for his role in the March 2025 collision with the anchored tanker Stena Immaculate. At the Old Bailey, the judge determined that Motin’s failure to act appropriately constituted a severe breach of maritime duty, resulting in his six-year incarceration.
Judge Andrew Baker characterized Motin as “an accident waiting to happen,” noting a critical lapse in watchkeeping and navigational awareness while his ship was on course to strike the tanker.
The Collision and Its Human Cost
The Solong, which was loaded with cargo during its voyage from Scotland to the Netherlands, collided with the Stena Immaculate — which was carrying more than 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel — in the busy North Sea shipping lanes. The impact triggered fires aboard both vessels and prompted an extensive offshore rescue operation.
Filipino seafarer Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, who was working aboard the Solong, disappeared during the crash and is presumed dead, with his remains never found. At the time of his death, Pernia’s wife was expecting their second child, compounding the tragedy for his young family.
Safety Failures and Legal Aftermath
Prosecutors argued Motin did not respond in time to avoid the collision, highlighting that critical alarm systems were disabled and no timely alerts were given to avert disaster. His defense maintained that attempts to correct course were hindered by human error.
The case has sparked broader attention on maritime safety and crew oversight, and legal battles continue as civil claims related to the collision proceed.
