In a tragic maritime incident that has reverberated throughout the shipping community, a ship captain has been sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence. Vladimir Motin, 59, was responsible for a catastrophic collision off the East Yorkshire coast, which resulted in the death of a crew member aboard the cargo ship Solong. The incident occurred on 10 March 2025, when the Solong crashed into the anchored oil tanker Stena Immaculate, leading to a devastating explosion that claimed the life of Mark Angelo Pernia, 38.
A Fateful Journey
The Solong, a 130-metre cargo vessel weighing 7,852 gross tonnes, had departed from Grangemouth, Scotland, just hours before the incident, bound for Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Onboard were 14 crew members, and the ship was carrying a load that included alcoholic spirits and hazardous materials, such as unclean sodium cyanide containers. Meanwhile, the Stena Immaculate, a much larger vessel measuring 183.2 metres and transporting over 220,000 barrels of Jet A1 aviation fuel, was anchored in the Humber Estuary.
It was during this precarious situation that Motin, who was on solitary watch duty, failed to take adequate measures to avert disaster. The prosecution presented evidence that indicated he had numerous opportunities to steer the vessel away from the imminent collision, but chose to do nothing. Alarmingly, the Stena Immaculate had been visible on the Solong’s radar for a full 36 minutes prior to the crash.
The Moment of Impact
CCTV footage released by Humberside Police captured the harrowing moments leading up to the collision. As the two vessels drew perilously close, the crew aboard the Stena Immaculate could be heard in a state of panic, exclaiming: “Holy shit… what just hit us… a container ship… this is no drill, this is no drill, fire fire fire, we have had a collision.” In stark contrast, witnesses reported a prolonged silence from the Solong’s bridge before the vessel struck the tanker at a speed of 15.2 knots.
Mark Angelo Pernia, who was stationed at the bow of the Solong, was tragically killed instantly in the explosion that followed. His body was never recovered, leaving his family in a state of profound sorrow and loss.
Legal Proceedings and Accountability
Following a trial at the Old Bailey, a jury deliberated for eight hours before reaching a verdict of guilty against Motin. The court heard how he attempted to mislead investigators about the events on the bridge. Despite his claims that he had not fallen asleep or abandoned his post, the prosecution highlighted that he had deactivated the ship’s bridge navigation watch alert system—a critical safety feature designed to ensure the captain remains vigilant.
Motin’s defence hinged on the assertion that he misjudged the situation, believing the Stena Immaculate was moving unpredictably and that he had attempted to correct the ship’s course too late. However, his actions—or lack thereof—were deemed so recklessly negligent that the jury found him guilty of manslaughter.
Why it Matters
This case underscores the critical importance of maritime safety and the dire consequences of negligence at sea. The loss of Mark Angelo Pernia serves as a stark reminder of the human cost associated with lapses in duty. As the shipping industry faces scrutiny over safety protocols, it is vital that lessons are learned to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The sentencing of Captain Motin not only seeks justice for Pernia’s family but also aims to instil a renewed commitment to accountability and safety within maritime operations.
