Overview

• The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) confirmed that neither the cargo ship Solong nor the oil tanker Stena Immaculate had a dedicated lookout on the bridge during their March 10 collision.
• Visibility at the time of the crash was described as 'patchy,' ranging between 0.25 and 2.0 nautical miles, complicating navigation.
• The collision caused fires on both vessels, leading to the evacuation of 36 crew members and the presumed death of Filipino crew member Mark Pernia.
• Environmental concerns persist as plastic nurdles spilled from Solong continue to wash ashore on Norfolk beaches, with cleanup operations ongoing.
• Legal proceedings against Solong’s captain, Vladimir Motin, charged with gross negligence manslaughter, are underway, with a trial set for January 2026.