Fatal Collision in North Sea: Captain Charged with Manslaughter

In a tragic turn of events, Humberside Police have charged Vladimir Motin, the captain of the Solong, with gross negligence manslaughter after a deadly maritime accident off the East Yorkshire coast.

Incident Overview

On Monday, the Solong, a container ship operated by the German company Ernst Russ, collided with the Stena Immaculate, an oil tanker, near Withernsea in the North Sea. This unfortunate incident resulted in a significant explosion, leaving a crew member of the Solong missing and presumed dead.

Casualties Identified

The missing crew member has been identified as Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, a Filipino national. Authorities reported that the fierce fire that followed the collision ignited due to the 220,000 barrels of jet fuel carried by the Stena Immaculate, which was under contract with the US military.

Legal Proceedings

Motin, 59, originally from Primorsky, near St. Petersburg, Russia, was taken into custody by police shortly after the collision on Wednesday. He is set to appear in Hull Magistrates’ Court following his charges. The police statement confirmed, “The captain of the Solong vessel, Vladimir Motin, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and been remanded in police custody.”

Maritime Response and Current Status

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) reported that while there were still small areas of fire visible on the Solong on Friday, the situation is now largely under control. “There are now only small periodic pockets of fire on the Solong, which are not causing undue concern,” stated the MCA.

Environmental Concerns Addressed

Initial fears regarding potential pollution from the incident have been significantly alleviated. Both vessels are currently under constant aerial surveillance, with the MCA assuring the public that there are no threats of pollution from the jet fuel or chemicals carried by the Solong.

Company’s Standpoint

In light of the ongoing investigation, Ernst Russ has refrained from commenting on the specifics but has expressed their commitment to support the crew and cooperate fully with authorities to address the incident.

This collision marks one of the most severe maritime incidents in recent British history, raising significant concerns regarding shipping safety and regulations in crowded waters.