A Russian ship captain is on trial in London accused of gross negligence manslaughter after his cargo vessel collided with a U.S.-chartered tanker in the North Sea, killing a crew member and sparking a massive blaze, British prosecutors told jurors on Tuesday.
Prosecutors Argue Captain Ignored Collision Risk
At London’s Old Bailey court, prosecutors urged jurors to consider that 59-year-old Vladimir Motin of St. Petersburg “did absolutely nothing” to steer his Portuguese-flagged container ship Solong away from the anchored U.S. tanker Stena Immaculate, despite the danger being clear for more than half an hour.
The collision occurred on March 10, 2025, about 13 miles off the East Yorkshire coast, when the Solong struck the fuel-laden tanker carrying aviation fuel for the U.S. military. The impact caused widespread fire and prompted a large offshore rescue operation.
Prosecutors say Motin was on sole watch on the bridge at the time and failed to take any evasive action, leaving his crew without protection and leading to the presumed death of Filipino seafarer Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, whose body was never recovered.
Captain Pleads Not Guilty as Evidence Unfolds
Motin has pleaded not guilty to the single count of gross negligence manslaughter. His defense argues that conditions at sea and navigational challenges played a role, and that the circumstances leading to the collision are complex. The trial, expected to run for several weeks, will explore whether human error, mechanical issues or other factors contributed to the accident.
The dramatic incident also raised environmental concerns at the time, with aviation fuel released into the sea and a prolonged firefighting response required. Both vessels were eventually moved to port for salvage and damage assessment.
Subhead: Background on the North Sea Collision
The Solong, registered in Portugal, was sailing from Scotland to the Netherlands when it collided with the stationary Stena Immaculate. Initial investigations found that neither vessel maintained a dedicated lookout at the exact moment of impact, and visibility conditions were described as “patchy.”
The resulting fire burned for nearly two days, and while larger environmental disaster was averted, cleanup crews later recovered plastic pellets from nearby beaches.
