Russian captain Vladimir Motin pleads not guilty to manslaughter after his cargo ship collided with a US tanker, causing a fire and a crewman’s death.
LONDON: The Russian captain of a cargo ship involved in a fiery North Sea collision goes on trial charged with gross negligence manslaughter.
Vladimir Motin, 59, pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to the death of a crew member in the incident last March.
His vessel, the Portuguese-flagged Solong, rammed the US-flagged tanker Stena Immaculate, which was laden with jet fuel and anchored off Hull.
The collision ignited a massive blaze and triggered a major offshore rescue operation.
Filipino crewman Mark Angelo Pernia was lost and is presumed dead following the crash.
A preliminary investigation found neither vessel had a dedicated lookout on the bridge at the time, with visibility described as “patchy”.
The Solong penetrated one of the tanker’s cargo tanks, releasing aviation fuel that was ignited by the collision’s heat.
It took nearly two days to extinguish the visible flames in a huge firefighting operation.
While a major environmental disaster was averted, a clean-up was needed for plastic pellets spilled from the Solong.
More than 16 tonnes of plastic pellets, or nurdles, were removed from beaches in northeastern Lincolnshire.
The UK government has previously ruled out foul play in the incident.
The tanker’s owner, Crowley, stated it was operating in compliance with watch requirements.
Both vessel owners have filed legal claims against each other.
Motin’s trial is expected to last several weeks at London’s Old Bailey court.
