Wednesday 4th February 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

A ship’s captain has been found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after a crew member died following a collision between a tanker and a container vessel in the North Sea in March 2025.

Vladimir Motin, 59, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, Russia, was convicted at the Old Bailey on Monday 2 February 2026 after a three‑week trial. Motin was captain of the Solong when it collided with the Stena Immaculate around 10.2 miles off the East Yorkshire coast on 10 March 2025.

Humberside Police were alerted at around 11am by HM Coastguard, who reported the collision and that a crew member from the Solong was missing. A major multi‑agency rescue operation was launched, led by HM Coastguard and supported by RNLI lifeboat crews, (including Bridlington RNLI), who were among the first responders at the scene.

The operation resulted in all 23 crew from the Stena Immaculate being safely recovered, along with 13 of the 14 crew from the Solong. All were brought ashore at Grimsby Docks.

The only missing crew member, able seaman Mark Pernia, could not be found despite extensive searches by HM Coastguard, RNLI crews, and other agencies. Due to the hostile conditions and the time elapsed, he was later declared deceased.
A joint investigation by Humberside Police and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency examined technical data, radio communications and witness accounts from both vessels.

Detectives established that from 9.10am on the morning of the collision, the Solong had been travelling on a fixed course directly through an area where several ships were anchored, including the Stena Immaculate, which had been stationary since the previous evening.

Investigators found no evidence that the Solong made any radio contact to warn nearby vessels. Data from HM Coastguard confirmed the ship’s speed and course remained unchanged until the collision at 9.47am.

Analysis of the Solong’s voyage data recorder showed no audible activity from Motin or any crew member in the minutes before or after the impact. Motin had been on watch since 6.50am and was solely responsible for the vessel at the time.

He was arrested later that day on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after the search for Mr Pernia was formally stood down. Following four days of interviews and further enquiries, he was charged and remanded into custody, appearing before Hull Magistrates’ Court on 15 March 2025.

After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a guilty verdict. Motin has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on

Thursday 5 February 2026.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said Motin had “completely failed” in his duty of care to his crew and other vessels, adding that his actions caused the death of one of his own sailors and put dozens more lives at risk.

He paid tribute to the family of Mark Pernia, describing him as a devoted husband and father of two whose loss had devastated his loved ones. He also praised the “valiant” rescue efforts of HM Coastguard, RNLI lifeboat crews and all agencies involved.
“This was a tragic and unnecessary death,” he said. “I hope this verdict serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by all those who operate at sea, and that future tragedies can be prevented.”