A Tragic Collision at Sea: Police Charge Russian Captain Over Crew Member’s Death
British police have charged the Russian captain of a cargo ship with gross negligence manslaughter following a fatal collision with a U.S. tanker in the North Sea. Vladimir Motin, the 59-year-old master of the Portugal-flagged cargo vessel Solong, is set to appear in Hull Magistrates’ Court. The charges come after a crew member went missing and is now presumed dead following the incident. Motin, a resident of Primorsky, St. Petersburg, was arrested in northeast England on Tuesday, a day after the collision occurred. Authorities confirmed that the missing crew member, identified as 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, is presumed dead. Specialist officers are providing support to Pernia’s family during this difficult time.
The collision occurred on Monday when the Solong struck the stationary tanker MV Stena Immaculate, which was anchored approximately 10 miles off the English coast. The tanker was carrying jet fuel for the U.S. military. Extensive search operations were conducted, but no signs of Pernia were found, leading authorities to conclude that he had tragically lost his life. The incident has sparked a multi-agency investigation, with the U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) actively involved in determining the cause of the collision. Meanwhile, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorized the charges against Motin, with Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS’s special crime and counter-terrorism division, confirming the decision.
Legal Proceedings and International Cooperation
The legal proceedings against Motin are unfolding rapidly, with the Russian captain set to face justice in a British court. His arrest and charging highlight the serious nature of the allegations, which center on gross negligence manslaughter. This charge implies that Motin’s alleged failure to exercise proper care and attention as the master of the Solong directly contributed to the death of Mark Angelo Pernia. While Motin’s legal representation and current detention location remain unclear, it is understood that he will be required to answer to these charges in court.
The incident has also drawn attention to the international nature of maritime operations. The Solong, owned by German-based shipping company Ernst Russ, had a diverse crew of Russian and Filipino nationals. The tanker Stena Immaculate, on the other hand, was involved in operations linked to the U.S. military. The investigation into the collision is being jointly led by the U.S. and Portugal, as the two vessels are flagged under their respective jurisdictions. British authorities, however, have clarified that there is no evidence to suggest the incident has any connection to national security concerns.
A Closer Look at the Collision and Its Aftermath
The Solong was en route from Grangemouth, Scotland, to Rotterdam, Netherlands, when the collision occurred. The tanker, which was stationary at the time, was located about 16 kilometers off the English coast. While the exact circumstances leading to the collision remain under investigation, early reports suggest that the Solong may have experienced operational issues prior to the incident. Port inspection documents reveal that the vessel failed steering-related safety checks in Dublin in July 2023. Inspectors noted 10 deficiencies, including unreadable emergency steering communications, inadequate alarms, poorly maintained survival craft, and substandard fire doors.
Despite these issues, the Solong was not detained after the inspections. A subsequent inspection in Scotland in October 2023 identified two additional deficiencies, but the ship was again allowed to continue its operations. These findings have raised questions about whether the vessel met the necessary safety standards and whether the identified issues may have contributed to the collision. The MAIB, along with its international partners, will examine these factors as part of the ongoing investigation.
Reflections on Maritime Safety and Accountability
The tragic incident underscores the importance of maritime safety and the need for strict adherence to international regulations. While the full details of the collision are still being uncovered, the charges brought against Vladimir Motin signal a strong commitment to holding individuals accountable for their actions at sea. The case also serves as a reminder of the risks faced by seafarers like Mark Angelo Pernia, who work in challenging conditions to keep global trade moving.
As the investigation continues, it is likely that further details about the collision and the state of the Solong will come to light. For now, the focus remains on ensuring justice
