In a shocking turn of events, the captain of a cargo ship that collided with an oil tanker in the North Sea has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of a crew member.

Details of the Incident

The incident occurred near the East Yorkshire coast on Monday at approximately 10:00 GMT. The Portuguese-flagged vessel, named Solong, was involved in a crash with the US-registered tanker, Stena Immaculate. Tragically, 38-year-old Filipino crew member Mark Angelo Pernia has been reported missing and is presumed dead as a result of the collision.

Arrest and Charges

Vladimir Motin, 59, hailing from Primorsky in St. Petersburg, Russia, appeared before magistrates in Hull but did not enter a plea. He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in the Central Criminal Court in London on April 14. Following the incident, Humberside Police promptly arrested Motin on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

Investigation Ongoing

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the collision. Preliminary reports indicate that the Solong was en route from Grangemouth to Rotterdam and had frequently traversed this route. According to the MAIB, the Solong struck Stena Immaculate while the latter was at anchor near the entrance to the River Humber.

Salvage Operations

Meanwhile, salvage experts from SMIT Salvage reported that they have successfully boarded the Stena Immaculate to conduct a detailed assessment. The tanker was carrying a staggering 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel at the time of the collision. Currently, the Stena Immaculate remains anchored about 12 miles off the East Yorkshire coast near Withernsea.

Current Status and Next Steps

Efforts to salvage both vessels are described as “methodical, comprehensive, and ongoing,” with authorities indicating that the process will take time to complete. Chief Coastguard Paddy O'Callaghan has stated that aerial surveillance continues to monitor the situation, and there have been no concerns about pollution from either ship.

Crew Members' Status

All 23 crew members aboard the Stena Immaculate are American nationals. Currently, they are in Grimsby and are expected to be repatriated soon. The maritime community remains on high alert as the investigation unfolds to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again in the future.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of this developing story, which raises important questions about maritime safety and the responsibilities of ship captains at sea!