Smoke billows from the Solong cargo ship in the North Sea following a collision on Tuesday. Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
EPICSTORIAN — A Russian cargo ship captain has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following a fatal collision in the North Sea that left a crew member presumed dead.
The crash involved the Portuguese-flagged Solong and the US-flagged Stena Immaculate, which was carrying a large shipment of jet fuel. Fires broke out on both vessels, prompting emergency rescue efforts.
Court Proceedings Begin After North Sea Ship Collision
The Solong struck the anchored Stena Immaculate off England’s northeast coast on Monday. The tanker had remained stationary for over 15 hours before the impact.
Aboard the Solong, 59-year-old Captain Vladimir Motin from St. Petersburg was arrested and charged with gross negligence manslaughter over the presumed death of 38-year-old Mark Angelo Pernia, a Filipino crew member who remains missing.
During a hearing at Hull Magistrates’ Court, prosecutors described how the Solong maintained a collision course for more than 40 minutes before crashing into the stationary vessel.
“For more than 40 minutes, the Solong was on a direct path to impact. No effort was made to alter course or speed,” prosecutor Amelia Katz stated.
The vessel was reportedly moving at over 15 knots when it hit the tanker. No radio communications were made to warn of the impending crash.
Rescue Efforts and Missing Crew Member
The full crew of the Stena Immaculate, totaling 23 people, was safely evacuated. Thirteen of the Solong’s 14 crew members were rescued. Search efforts for Pernia were called off late Monday.
The Stena Immaculate was transporting 220,000 barrels of jet fuel as part of a US military supply program. Crowley, the logistics company managing the vessel, confirmed its role in securing fuel for defense operations.
Environmental Concerns and Ship Safety
Pollution fears initially arose due to the tanker’s cargo. The UK Coastguard later reported no immediate environmental threats.
“No pollution concerns have been identified,” a Coastguard statement confirmed on Friday. However, small fires continued to burn aboard the Solong.
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Greenpeace expert Dr. Paul Johnston stressed the dangers of such a collision.
“When a large container ship collides with a fuel-laden tanker, the potential consequences are severe,” Johnston said.
Ongoing Investigation and Ship Status
The Stena Immaculate remains anchored off the coast. The Solong is being held offshore by a tugboat while investigations continue. Authorities are reviewing navigation data and ship conditions to determine the cause of the crash.
Motin remains in custody as court proceedings move forward. A conviction could result in severe legal consequences under UK maritime law.
