Russian captain guilty over crew member’s death in U.S. tanker crash

LONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters) – The captain of a container ship that crashed into a U.S. tanker off Britain’s east coast last year was found guilty on Monday of causing the death of a crew member through gross negligence.

Russian national Vladimir Motin, 59, was captain of the Solong when it hit the Stena Immaculate tanker, which was anchored and carrying just over 220,000 barrels of high-grade aviation fuel, on March 10, 2025.

The collision started a blaze on both vessels and caused the death of Filipino national and Solong crew member Mark Pernia, 38, whose body has never been found and is presumed dead.

Prosecutor Tom Little told jurors at the start of Motin’s trial last month that Motin did “absolutely nothing” to prevent the collision, having been on course to hit the Stena Immaculate for more than 30 minutes before the fatal crash.

Motin’s lawyer James Leonard said Motin unsuccessfully tried to take the Solong off autopilot and change course, arguing that while Motin was at fault he was not grossly negligent.

After a trial at London’s Old Bailey court, Motin – who had pleaded not guilty – was convicted of the gross negligence manslaughter of Pernia. He will be sentenced on Thursday.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Michael Holden)