Russian Captain Sentenced for Manslaughter Following Fatal Collision
A London court has sentenced Russian captain Vladimir Motin to six years in prison for manslaughter by gross negligence. This ruling stems from a tragic incident in March 2025, when the containership Solong collided with the anchored tanker Stena Immaculate off the Yorkshire coast. The collision resulted in a catastrophic fire and the death of 38-year-old Filipino seafarer Mark Angelo Pernia, whose body has never been recovered.
Justice Andrew Baker, who presided over the case, described the incident as “a serious accident waiting to happen.” He emphasized that Pernia’s death was “wholly avoidable” and criticized Motin for his failure to maintain a proper lookout. The judge dismissed Motin’s defense, which claimed he accidentally pressed the wrong button while trying to disengage the autopilot, labeling it “extremely implausible.”
Evidence of Negligence and Complacency
Prosecutors presented compelling evidence during the trial, including CCTV footage and data from the voyage recorder. They revealed that the tanker was visible on the Solong’s radar for 36 minutes prior to the collision. Despite this, Motin failed to take necessary precautions. He did not call for assistance, sound alarms, or attempt to slow down the vessel. The ship struck the tanker at a speed of 15.2 knots, igniting a fire that engulfed both vessels and burned the Solong for eight days.
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Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson, the senior investigating officer, stated that Motin “completely failed in his duty” and showed no remorse for his actions. The impact of Pernia’s death was poignantly conveyed through a victim impact statement read in court by his widow. She described the profound loss to their young family, noting that Pernia never had the chance to meet his second child, who was born two months after the tragedy.
Investigators concluded that the disaster was primarily due to human error, specifically complacency and poor bridge resource management, rather than equipment failure. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of vigilance and responsibility in maritime operations, as it could have easily resulted in multiple fatalities and significant environmental damage.
