Overview

• The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) confirmed that neither vessel involved in the March 10 collision had a dedicated lookout on the bridge at the time of the incident.
• The Solong's captain, Vladimir Motin, was acting as the lone watchkeeper during the crash, which occurred in patchy visibility ranging from 0.25 to 2 nautical miles.
• The collision caused fires on both ships, the presumed death of Filipino crew member Mark Pernia, and the release of jet fuel and plastic nurdles into the environment.
• Salvage operations are ongoing, with the Solong towed to Aberdeen and the Stena Immaculate set to be moved to Newcastle for further assessment.
• Legal proceedings against the Solong's captain, who faces gross negligence manslaughter charges, are underway, with a trial scheduled for January 2026.