A Russian sea captain has been convicted of gross negligence manslaughter following a catastrophic collision between his vessel and an anchored oil tanker in the North Sea, which resulted in the death of a Filipino crew member.
Verdict Reached in Humber Estuary Tragedy
Vladimir Motin, aged 59, was found guilty at court on Monday after denying the serious charge. The incident occurred off the coast of Yorkshire near the strategically important Humber Estuary, a major shipping lane for the United Kingdom.
Details of the Fatal Morning Collision
The court heard that on the morning of 10th March last year, at precisely 9.47am, the vessel under Motin's command, identified as the Solong, crashed into the Stena Immaculate oil tanker. The Stena Immaculate was anchored at the time of the impact. Captain Motin had been on sole watch duty aboard the Solong when the disastrous collision took place.
Instant Death and Unrecovered Remains
Tragically, Mark Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino national working on the bow of the Solong, died instantly in the ensuing fire. His body was never recovered from the scene, adding profound anguish to the proceedings for his grieving family.
Mr Pernia was a devoted family man, leaving behind a five-year-old child. In a further heartbreaking detail, he never met his second child, who was born just two months after his untimely death in the maritime disaster.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Coverage
The Crown Prosecution Service brought the case against Captain Motin, culminating in this week's guilty verdict. The conviction underscores critical questions regarding maritime safety protocols, watchkeeping responsibilities, and the human cost of negligence at sea.
This remains a developing news story, with further updates and detailed sentencing information expected to follow as the legal process continues.