Russian Captain Charged with Gross Negligence Manslaughter Following Collision in North Sea

The incident involving a cargo ship and a US oil tanker off the Yorkshire coast resulted in the death of a crew member.

Vladimir Motin, a 59-year-old Russian national from St. Petersburg, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following a maritime collision in the North Sea.

The incident occurred on March 10, 2025, involving the Portuguese-registered cargo ship MV Solong and the American-registered oil tanker Stena Immaculate, approximately 12 miles off the East Yorkshire coast, near Withernsea.

The collision resulted in both vessels catching fire, prompting extensive rescue and search operations by Humberside Police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Following the incident, 36 crew members from both ships were safely evacuated, but one crew member, Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, age 38, was reported missing and is now presumed deceased.

Authorities reported that Motin will appear at Hull Magistrates' Court on Saturday, March 15. He was initially arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter shortly after the collision.

The police confirmed that detectives have since been granted an extension on the custody of the captain due to the complexities of the investigation.

The head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division stated that the proceedings against Motin are active, emphasizing the importance of respecting the legal process.

As recovery operations continue, the Stena Immaculate remains at anchor at the location of the incident while the Solong has drifted southward, now visible from the Lincolnshire coast.

Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan reported that salvage teams have boarded both vessels to assess the damage, and while small pockets of fire persist aboard the Solong, they do not pose an immediate threat.

O'Callaghan also noted that specialist tugs equipped for firefighting are present at both vessels, and aerial surveillance continues to monitor the situation, confirming that there is no concern for pollution from either ship.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has evaluated public health risks and deemed them to be very low, with ongoing assessments as more information surfaces.

During a public statement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer commented on the incident, stating that the situation is currently “reasonably contained.” He assured that the Government is monitoring the developments continuously and is prepared to respond as necessary.