Jurors Watch Fireball Footage in Humber Ship Collision Trial as One Juror Is Dismissed

The case hinges on whether safety alarms were disabled or the ship failed to respond to a last-minute manual turn.

Overview

Jurors viewed CCTV and audio of the March 10, 2025 collision showing a violent impact, alarms sounding and crews calling for help, with about a minute passing before Captain Vladimir Motin radioed the tanker.
The court heard the Solong was on autopilot at roughly 16 knots, with Motin saying he detected the tanker by radar at about nine nautical miles, saw it at three, and unsuccessfully tried to disengage autopilot around one nautical mile to steer away.
Prosecutors say the bridge navigation watch alarm system had been switched off and argue the death of crewman Mark Angelo Pernia was entirely avoidable.
The Stena Immaculate was anchored carrying more than 220,000 barrels of Jet A1 fuel that leaked and fed a major blaze, and Pernia’s body has not been found.
Mr Justice Baker discharged a juror for failing to focus on the evidence, leaving 11 to continue, and the Old Bailey trial was adjourned until Thursday.