Russian ship captain jailed for six years after deadly North Sea collision
Russian ship captain jailed for six years after deadly North Sea collision
A Russian container ship captain has been jailed in the UK for six years for manslaughter by gross negligence after a collision in the North Sea killed a crew member.
A Russian container ship captain, Vladimir Motin, 59, has been jailed for six years in the UK for manslaughter by gross negligence after his vessel collided with a stationary oil tanker in the North Sea off the coast of Yorkshire. The crash in March 2025 triggered an explosion that killed Mark Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino crew member, whose body was never recovered.
At the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Andrew Baker said Motin had been on sole watch duty and had failed to keep a proper lookout for an extended period, describing it as a “wholesale failure of his duty.” Motin argued he pressed the wrong button when trying to switch off autopilot and steer away from the tanker in the minutes before the crash, but the judge found his account “extremely problematic” and “implausible.” The basic facts suggested a ship unaware of the ship ahead, the judge added.
The prosecution contended that Motin did not sound the alarm, summon help, or warn crew members, contributing to the deadly incident on the water. The collision between the Solong and the anchored oil tanker Stena Immaculate set both vessels aflame and prompted a major offshore rescue operation. Pernia had a five-year-old child at the time of the collision, and his second child was born two months after his death.
The judge’s verdict included the stark statement that Motin “you were a serious accident waiting to happen,” emphasizing the high risk of death and Motin’s disregard for safety. The case underscores the accountability mariners face at sea and the importance of vigilant watchkeeping and swift response to threats on the bridge.
This sentencing marks a significant moment in maritime safety accountability, as authorities reiterate the standards expected of captains navigating busy and dangerous offshore routes.
