The manslaughter trial of Captain Vladimir Motin resumed in London, where he faces charges related to a crew member’s death. Defense lawyer James Leonard questioned Motin about allegations of falling asleep or leaving the bridge. Motin denied these claims, asserting he had remained at his post since 0800 that morning.
During a London trial, the captain of the container ship Solong, Vladimir Motin, claimed he attempted to avert a fatal collision with the U.S. tanker Stena Immaculate. His lawyer argued that Motin’s last-minute efforts to disengage the autopilot were unsuccessful, as the trial centers on charges of gross negligence manslaughter.
The trial of Vladimir Motin, captain of the Portuguese container ship Solong, has begun in London following a fatal collision with the Stena Immaculate. Prosecutors argue he did nothing to prevent the incident, which led to the presumed death of crew member Mark Pernia and significant fires aboard both vessels.
The burnt wreckage of a ship that collided with a tanker in the North Sea arrived at a Scottish port on March 28. The incident involved the Portuguese-flagged Solong crashing into the U.S. military-contracted tanker Stena Immaculate, resulting in a fire and evacuation of both crews. Fortunately, most crew members were rescued, but one tragically lost his life.
A maritime accident involving the U.S.-flagged chemical tanker Stena Immaculate and the Portuguese-flagged container vessel Solong off the coast of Britain has raised concerns. The collision, on March 10, 2025, caused significant damage and both ships were still burning the next day. Investigators are looking into the cause, with one sailor suspected to be deceased.
The North Sea incident continues to unfold, with one seafarer arrested for gross negligence manslaughter. The missing crew member of the “Solong” vessel is presumed deceased, while survivors receive support. Investigations by the MAIB and Humberside Police are ongoing, with collaboration from US and Portuguese authorities to determine the cause of the collision.
The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds (IOPC Funds) recently addressed the collision between the Solong and Stena Immaculate in the UK. The incident, involving a tanker carrying jet fuel, is not covered by the 1992 Conventions. The IOPC Funds cannot intervene due to the non-persistent oil classification.
