Overview
- Cross-examining at the Old Bailey, Tom Little KC argued the 16-knot impact with an anchored, fuel-laden tanker created a serious and foreseeable risk of death.
- Vladimir Motin denies gross negligence manslaughter, says he neither slept nor left the bridge, and maintains he did not know crewman Mark Angelo Pernia was on the bow.
- Motin testified he attempted to disengage autopilot, turn the vessel, and restart the steering gear but said the Solong did not respond to his commands.
- He told jurors he chose not to execute a crash stop because he feared the ship would hit the tanker’s accommodation block and endanger its crew.
- Prosecutors allege failures to sound an alarm, use radar, and keep a proper lookout; Motin admits a mistake in switching to manual as the March collision killed Pernia and triggered a major fire, and the trial continues Wednesday.