Overview
- Vladimir Motin, 59, is on trial for gross negligence manslaughter over the presumed death of crewman Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, and has pleaded not guilty.
- Prosecutor Tom Little KC told jurors Motin was on sole watch and failed in his duty of care, calling the death “entirely avoidable.”
- Jurors heard the anchored Stena Immaculate appeared on Solong’s radar about 36 minutes before the 9:47 a.m. impact, with the risk also visible to the naked eye.
- Prosecutors said the bridge alert system (BNWAS) on Solong had been switched off, and a prior MAIB report noted no dedicated lookouts on either bridge and patchy visibility.
- The tanker carried large quantities of jet fuel and both ships burned after the crash; cleanup later included removing over 16 tonnes of plastic nurdles, and civil claims between the operators are ongoing.