The fate of a ship captain hangs in the balance as a trial unfolds in London, centered around a devastating collision at sea. Vladimir Motin, 59, stands accused of gross negligence manslaughter following the “avoidable” death of a crew member.
During questioning, Motin vehemently denied falling asleep at the helm. He insisted he remained on the bridge from 8 am onward, neither losing consciousness nor leaving his post for any reason.
The incident occurred on March 10th, involving the US-registered Stena Immaculate and the Rotterdam-bound Solong. The Solong, a 130-meter vessel, had departed from Grangemouth, Scotland, the previous evening, carrying a cargo of alcoholic spirits and hazardous materials, including empty containers that once held sodium cyanide.
The Stena Immaculate, significantly larger at 183.2 meters, was transporting 220,000 barrels of JetA1 aviation fuel from Greece to the UK. The collision unleashed a torrent of fuel, igniting a fierce fire that engulfed both ships.
Mark Angelo Pernia, a Filipino national, was assisting engineers with repairs when the vessels collided at 9:47 am. Tragically, his body was never recovered in the aftermath of the disaster.
The court heard that Motin had been using radar to monitor the Solong’s course before the impact. He disengaged the autopilot approximately one nautical mile from the Stena Immaculate, altering course by 15 degrees.
When asked about his attention to the controls during this maneuver, Motin stated it was a routine action, performed countless times. He likened it to pressing a button, arguing that a seasoned captain doesn’t consciously focus on the physical act itself.
Despite his attempt to adjust the ship’s trajectory, Motin’s efforts proved futile. He revealed that another vessel within the same company, the Sanskip Express, had recently experienced a rubber malfunction, prompting him to attempt a restart of the steering gear.
However, this attempt, guided by advice to address a similar issue, “did nothing to help.” Justice Baker pressed Motin on whether he considered slowing down, but the captain maintained his focus was solely on resolving the steering problem quickly, rather than reversing the engine.
The crash unfolded in the Humber Estuary, off the coast of East Yorkshire, leaving a trail of destruction and a lingering question of responsibility. The trial continues, seeking to determine the circumstances that led to this tragic loss of life.
