Ship captain in court accused of manslaughter

The captain of a Russian cargo ship which collided with an oil tanker in the North Sea killing one of the crew has appeared in court.

Vladimir Motin, 59, is charged with manslaughter after one of his crew members was killed in the crash which caused fears of environmental damage off the coast of East Yorkshire.

Motin, of Primorsky, in St Petersburg, Russia, was the captain of Portuguese cargo ship the Solong which crashed into a US tanker on 10 March.

Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, is missing presumed dead.

Motin denies manslaughter by gross negligence.

He appeared at the Old Bailey today (weds) via video link from HMP Hull wearing a grey jumper and glasses.

Motin spoke to confirm his name and was assisted by a Russian interpreter.

Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, the Recorder of London, extended the time he can be kept in custody until 16 January.

His trial is due to begin on 12 January before a High Court judge who is still to be allocated.

Motin, who has a wife and daughter, was rescued from the sea after the crash along with other members of his crew

All 23 people on the tanker were rescued and 13 crew members from the Solong but Mr Pernia could not be located.

The Solong was travelling from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam in the Netherlands when it crashed into the Stena Immaculate tanker which was anchored 12 miles off the East Yorkshire coast.

Motin was arrested hours after the collision with the tanker, which was carrying 220,000 barrels of jet fuel.

In a statement Humberside Police said: ‘An investigation by Humberside police supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency into the collision between a tanker and a cargo vessel in the North Sea, off the coast of East Yorkshire, has resulted in a man being charged.

‘The captain of the Solong vessel, Vladimir Motin, 59 years old, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, Russia, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter.

‘On Monday, 10 March, Humberside police received a report at around 11am that a collision had occurred between the two vessels, resulting in one crew member being reported missing.

‘Extensive searches were carried out by HM Coastguard to locate the missing crew member, now presumed deceased.

‘The family are being supported by specialist trained officers and our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.’

Motin will appear in court in person for a hearing on 21 November.