Russian Captain Sentenced to Six Years for Fatal North Sea Collision
A Russian ship captain has been sentenced to six years in prison following a tragic maritime accident in the North Sea that resulted in the death of a crew member. Vladimir Motin, 59, was found guilty of manslaughter due to gross negligence at the Old Bailey on Monday. The incident occurred in March when Motin’s container vessel, the Solong, collided with the US oil tanker Stena Immaculate near the Humber Estuary. Both ships were carrying flammable cargo, leading to a catastrophic fire that engulfed them.
The court heard that Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, who was stationed at the bow of the Solong, died instantly in the blaze. His body was never recovered. During the trial, Motin claimed he made a “mistake” while attempting to disengage the autopilot, stating that he pressed the wrong button. However, the prosecution argued that Motin’s actions constituted “truly, exceptionally bad negligence.” They highlighted that he failed to take necessary precautions, such as summoning help, slowing down, or sounding alarms, which could have prevented the collision.
Details of the Incident and Trial
The trial revealed critical evidence, including data from the Solong’s black box, which indicated that there were no adjustments made to the vessel’s course or speed as the two ships approached each other. The prosecution noted that the vessels had been on a collision course for over 30 minutes, with the Stena Immaculate visible to the naked eye for the last 12 minutes before impact. Dramatic CCTV footage captured the moment of the collision, showing both ships consumed by flames ignited by leaking fuel.
Judge Andrew Baker, during sentencing, described Motin’s account of the events as “extremely implausible” and criticized his “complacency and arrogance.” He stated that Motin was “a serious accident waiting to happen” and noted that the captain had deactivated a bridge navigation watch alert system, which is designed to ensure that someone is present and alert on the bridge at all times. Furthermore, a full minute passed after the collision before Motin reacted, raising serious concerns about his competence and decision-making during the emergency.
Impact on Victim’s Family and Future Implications
The impact of the tragedy was poignantly highlighted in a statement read to the court from Mr. Pernia’s wife. The judge remarked that the statement provided a glimpse into the “irreparable suffering” caused by Motin’s negligence. Pernia’s wife was pregnant at the time of the accident, and he never had the chance to meet his newborn child or reunite with his five-year-old daughter.
Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson of Humberside Police expressed hope that the outcome of this case would serve as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by those operating at sea. He emphasized that this was a “tragic and unnecessary death” and called for greater accountability to prevent similar incidents in the future. The case underscores the critical importance of safety protocols and the dire consequences of negligence in maritime operations.
