Preliminary Report Confirms Safety Failures in North Sea Ship Collision

Investigators reveal both vessels lacked dedicated lookouts as salvage and environmental cleanup efforts continue.

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.