Russian captain charged with manslaughter after fatal North Sea tanker crash
by Adam Foster · ChronicleLiveThe Russian captain of the Solong container ship which crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea has been charged over the death of a crew member.
The Solong’s master Vladimir Motin, 59, of Primorsky, St Petersburg, in Russia, will appear at Hull Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with gross negligence manslaughter, Humberside Police said.
It comes two days after the Russian national was arrested for the same offence.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also confirmed the name and nationality of the crew member who sadly died. They said 38-year-old Filipino national Mark Angelo Pernia died following the collision between Motin’s vessel, the Solong, and the Stena Immaculate off the east coast of Yorkshire.
36 people from both vessels made it ashore following the collision, which was still burning through the night more than 24 hours later.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Humberside Police said: "An investigation by Humberside Police supported by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) 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."
Officers received reports at 11am on Monday that two vessels had collided in the North Sea and one crew member was missing.
Humberside Police said: "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."
Earlier on Friday Humberside Police confirmed magistrates had granted a further extension to the time detectives could hold the captain "due to the complexities of the incident."
A spokesperson for the CPS said: "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are now active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
"It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."
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