Russian captain of container ship in devastating fatal crash into oil tanker in North Sea denies manslaughter by gross negligence
The Russian captain of a cargo ship that crashed into an oil tanker in the North Sea has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of a crewman.
Vladimir Motin, 59, appeared at the Old Bailey in London via video link from HMP Hull.
Assisted by a Russian interpreter, he spoke only to confirm his name and plea.
Mr Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, was captain of the Portuguese-flagged cargo ship Solong when it collided with the US tanker Stena Immaculate off the East Yorkshire coast on March 10.
Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, a Filipino crew member on the Solong, is missing presumed dead after the crash.
Mr Pernia had been working in the forward deck of the container ship in an area where there was an explosion.
The collision happened at about 9.47am at 10.2 nautical miles from the nearest point on the coast, a previous hearing was told.
The 140m-long Solong was carrying about 157 containers.
The Stena Immaculate is 183m long and was carrying jet fuel. It was anchored and stationary at the time of the collision.
The Solong was travelling at about 15 knots when it hit the port side of the Stena.
Rescuers saved 36 crew from both ships, according to a report produced by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
Judge Mark Lucraft remanded Mr Motinin custody until September 10, when he will appear again for a pre-trial hearing.
A provisional trial date has been set for 12 January 2026.
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