Russian Captain Charged with Manslaughter Following North Sea Tanker Collision

Hull, England – A Russian sea captain has been formally charged with gross negligence manslaughter in connection with a collision between a cargo ship and a U.S. tanker in the North Sea, which resulted in the presumed death of a crew member.  

Vladimir Motin, 59, the captain of the Portugal-flagged cargo vessel “Solong,” is set to appear before Hull Magistrates’ Court following the incident that occurred off the east coast of England. The collision involved the “Solong” and the “MV Stena Immaculate,” a tanker carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military.  

The incident has drawn significant attention due to the severity of the collision and the international implications involving vessels from multiple nations.

Key Details of the Incident:

• The Collision:
  • The collision occurred in the North Sea, approximately 10 miles off the English coast.  
  • The “Solong” collided with the “MV Stena Immaculate,” which was anchored at the time.  
  • The collision resulted in significant damage to both vessels and a fire on the “Solong”.
• Casualty:
  • A crew member, identified as Mark Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino national, went missing following the collision.  
  • After extensive searches, authorities have confirmed that he is now presumed dead.
• Legal Proceedings:
  • Vladimir Motin, the Russian captain of the “Solong,” has been charged with “gross negligence manslaughter.”  
  • The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized the charges following an investigation by Humberside Police.  
  • The investigation has also been aided by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch.  
• Vessel Information:
  • The “Solong” is a Portugal-flagged cargo vessel owned by the shipping company Ernst Russ.  
  • The “MV Stena Immaculate” is a U.S.-flagged tanker.  
  • Prior to the collision, the Solong had failed steering related safety checks in Dublin, Ireland.  
• Ongoing Investigations:
  • Investigations are still ongoing to fully determine the cause of the collision.
  • The U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch, along with U.S. and Portuguese authorities, are involved in the investigation.

Legal and Investigative Details:

The decision to charge Captain Motin with gross negligence manslaughter underscores the seriousness with which U.K. authorities are treating the incident. The investigation has involved meticulous work by Humberside Police, with support from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The Crown Prosecution Service emphasized the importance of upholding maritime safety standards and ensuring accountability in such incidents. “We have authorized Humberside Police to charge a Russian national in relation to a collision involving two vessels in the North Sea off the east coast of England,” stated Frank Ferguson, head of the prosecutor’s office special crime and counter-terrorism division.  

Furthermore, it has been released that inspections of the Solong prior to the collison, showed deficencies in the vessels safety. This information will play a large part in the upcomming legal proceedings.

International Implications:

The collision has international ramifications, given the involvement of vessels from Russia, Portugal, the Philippines, and the United States. The “MV Stena Immaculate’s” role in transporting fuel for the U.S. military adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Authorities have stated that there is no indication of any national security implications related to the incident. However, the investigation will continue to examine all possible factors that contributed to the collision.

The case will now proceed through the U.K. legal system, with Captain Motin due to appear in court. The outcome of the proceedings will be closely watched by the maritime industry and international observers.