Overview
- A jury at London’s Old Bailey found Vladimir Motin, 59, guilty over the death of crewman Mark Angelo Pernia after the Solong struck the anchored Stena Immaculate on March 10, 2025.
- Motin was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on Thursday.
- Voyage data recorder logs, CCTV and bridge audio showed no course or speed change as the tanker remained in view for about 36 minutes, and the bridge watch alarm system had been disabled.
- Motin denied sleeping and said he pressed the wrong button while trying to disengage autopilot, but jurors rejected his account following evidence that he took no effective action.
- Both ships carried flammable or hazardous cargo, fuelling a blaze that burned the Solong for eight days, and separate civil claims against the vessel’s owner are proceeding in the High Court next month.