Russian Captain Convicted in US Tanker Crash Resulting in Crew Member’s Death
In a significant legal development, the Russian captain of a container ship involved in a tragic collision with a U.S. tanker off the east coast of Britain has been found guilty of gross negligence. The incident, which occurred in March of last year, resulted in the death of a crew member.
Vladimir Motin, 59, was at the helm of the Solong when it collided with the Stena Immaculate tanker, which was anchored and transporting over 220,000 barrels of high-grade aviation fuel. The crash ignited a fire on both vessels and led to the presumed death of Mark Pernia, a crew member from the Philippines, whose body has yet to be recovered.
During the trial, prosecutor Tom Little emphasized that Motin did “absolutely nothing” to avert the impending collision, noting that the ship was on a direct course to hit the Stena Immaculate for more than 30 minutes prior to the crash. This lack of action was a critical factor in the jury’s decision.
Motin’s defense attorney, James Leonard, argued that while the captain made errors, he was not grossly negligent. Leonard claimed that Motin attempted to disengage the autopilot and alter the ship’s course, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Despite his not guilty plea, Motin was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter at London’s Old Bailey court and is scheduled for sentencing on Thursday.
In a poignant moment during the trial, it was revealed that Pernia’s wife was seven months pregnant at the time of his death, and they have since welcomed their child into the world.
Criminal Trial to Be Followed by Lawsuits
The Solong, registered under the Portuguese flag, was en route from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, primarily carrying alcohol. Motin stated that he had made this journey multiple times before. The Stena Immaculate was anchored, awaiting a berth to unload its cargo when it was struck by the Solong at approximately 18 miles per hour (29 kph). The impact caused a fire and threw Pernia into the sea.
Motin’s Russian nationality raised suspicions of potential sabotage; however, maritime security experts indicated that there was no evidence of malicious intent. Notably, the alarm system aboard the Solong had been disabled, leaving both crews unaware of the impending collision.
The aftermath of the crash has also led to civil litigation. The owner of the Solong, a subsidiary of Ernst Russ, is facing a lawsuit in London’s High Court. The company has sought to dismiss the case, with a hearing scheduled for next month. Ernst Russ expressed its condolences, stating, “Our fullest sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of Mark Angelo Pernia,” and emphasized their ongoing support for the family during this challenging time.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Michael Holden and Alexander Smith)
Photograph: Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)
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In a significant legal development, the Russian captain of a container ship involved in a tragic collision with a U.S. tanker off the east coast of Britain has been found guilty of gross negligence. The incident, which occurred in March of last year, resulted in the death of a crew member.
Vladimir Motin, 59, was at the helm of the Solong when it collided with the Stena Immaculate tanker, which was anchored and transporting over 220,000 barrels of high-grade aviation fuel. The crash ignited a fire on both vessels and led to the presumed death of Mark Pernia, a crew member from the Philippines, whose body has yet to be recovered.
During the trial, prosecutor Tom Little emphasized that Motin did “absolutely nothing” to avert the impending collision, noting that the ship was on a direct course to hit the Stena Immaculate for more than 30 minutes prior to the crash. This lack of action was a critical factor in the jury’s decision.
Motin’s defense attorney, James Leonard, argued that while the captain made errors, he was not grossly negligent. Leonard claimed that Motin attempted to disengage the autopilot and alter the ship’s course, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Despite his not guilty plea, Motin was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter at London’s Old Bailey court and is scheduled for sentencing on Thursday.
In a poignant moment during the trial, it was revealed that Pernia’s wife was seven months pregnant at the time of his death, and they have since welcomed their child into the world.
Criminal Trial to Be Followed by Lawsuits
The Solong, registered under the Portuguese flag, was en route from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, primarily carrying alcohol. Motin stated that he had made this journey multiple times before. The Stena Immaculate was anchored, awaiting a berth to unload its cargo when it was struck by the Solong at approximately 18 miles per hour (29 kph). The impact caused a fire and threw Pernia into the sea.
Motin’s Russian nationality raised suspicions of potential sabotage; however, maritime security experts indicated that there was no evidence of malicious intent. Notably, the alarm system aboard the Solong had been disabled, leaving both crews unaware of the impending collision.
The aftermath of the crash has also led to civil litigation. The owner of the Solong, a subsidiary of Ernst Russ, is facing a lawsuit in London’s High Court. The company has sought to dismiss the case, with a hearing scheduled for next month. Ernst Russ expressed its condolences, stating, “Our fullest sympathies remain with the family and loved ones of Mark Angelo Pernia,” and emphasized their ongoing support for the family during this challenging time.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Michael Holden and Alexander Smith)
Photograph: Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)
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