Container Ship Collision Leads to Trial for Manslaughter
A collision between a container ship and an oil tanker off the East Yorkshire coast has resulted in a manslaughter trial for the ship’s captain. The incident, which occurred in March of last year, led to a significant fire and the tragic death of a crew member, whose body has not been recovered.
The Incident
During a court session at the Old Bailey, footage was presented showing the moment the container vessel, the Solong, struck the Stena Immaculate, a US-flagged oil tanker docked near the Humber Estuary. Captain Vladimir Motin, 59, was the sole officer on watch at the time of the collision.
The disaster occurred on March 10, when the Solong collided with the tanker at approximately 9:47 AM, igniting a fireball that engulfed both ships. Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia, who was stationed at the bow of the Solong, tragically lost his life in the incident, although his remains have not been found.
Trial Proceedings
Detective Constable Richard Bayley presented audio and video evidence during the trial, highlighting the chaos on board the Stena Immaculate as American crew members reacted to the collision. Emergency alarms and shouts of “this is no drill” were recorded in the distressing moments that followed the crash.
The Stena Immaculate was transporting 220,000 barrels of jet fuel, a portion of which leaked during the impact. In the immediate aftermath, some crew members attempted to locate Pernia but were hindered by the ensuing blaze. They eventually had to abandon ship under Motin’s orders.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC argued that Pernia’s death was “entirely avoidable,” emphasizing the responsibilities of captaincy and navigation that Motin held.
Navigation and Autopilot Issues
Motin, who hails from Primorsky in St Petersburg, acknowledged that he was navigating the Solong alone since 8 AM. His defence counsel, James Leonard KC, indicated that the ship was on autopilot and travelling at about 16 knots, being aware of the approaching Stena Immaculate from radars approximately nine nautical miles away.
It is reported that Motin tried to manually pull the Solong out of autopilot when it was one nautical mile from the tanker but failed to change course, resulting in the catastrophic collision. Leonard questioned the timing of Motin’s attempt to steer the ship away, suggesting it could have been avoided altogether.
Background
This incident illuminates broader concerns regarding maritime safety and the responsibilities of crew members, particularly regarding navigation in busy shipping lanes. Investigations into similar collisions in the past have prompted discussions about crew training and the protocols needed to prevent such tragedies.
Captain Motin has pleaded not guilty to the charges of manslaughter, and the trial at the Old Bailey is set to resume on Thursday.
Source: Original Article
