A Russian captain has been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with a fatal collision between his cargo ship and a U.S. oil tanker in the North Sea. The incident, which occurred on March 10, 2025, resulted in the death of a crew member aboard the cargo vessel, the Solong.
Vladimir Motin, 59, from St. Petersburg, was on solo watch duty when the Solong collided with the anchored Stena Immaculate off the coast of northeast England. Both vessels were carrying flammable cargo at the time of the crash, leading to a fire that raged for eight days, causing significant damage and risk to both crews.
During the trial held in London, prosecutors argued that Motin failed to take necessary precautions. They claimed he did not summon assistance, slow down the vessel, sound the alarm, or initiate a crash stop as required. The prosecution described the actions of the captain as “truly, exceptionally bad negligence,” while emphasizing the tragic loss of life. Senior specialist prosecutor Michael Gregory stated, “It is extremely fortunate that no one else was killed.”
The collision resulted in the immediate death of Mark Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino crew member working on the bow of the Solong. His body was never recovered from the wreckage. The prosecution highlighted the lack of communication from the bridge of the Solong before the crash, noting that a full minute passed before Motin responded to the imminent danger.
The Solong, measuring 130 meters (427 feet) in length, was transporting mainly alcoholic spirits and hazardous materials, en route to the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The Stena Immaculate, longer at 183 meters, was carrying jet fuel intended for the U.S. military.
As both ships were engulfed in flames, crew members aboard the U.S. tanker were recorded in shock, exclaiming, “What just hit us … a container ship. This is no drill, this is no drill, fire, fire, fire, we have had a collision.” The rapid response of rescuers ultimately saved 36 individuals from both vessels.
Motin’s sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, marking a critical point in this high-profile case involving maritime safety and accountability. The incident raises questions about navigational protocols and the responsibilities of captains operating in busy shipping lanes, especially when human lives are at stake.
