UPDATE: Ship Captain faces six years in jail following North Sea collision
A ship’s captain has been sentenced to six years in jail following a fatal collision in the North Sea that led to a major rescue operation involving Skegness RNLI and months of pollution clean-up along the Lincolnshire coast.
As reported by Humberside Police, Vladimir Motin, 59, captain of the container vessel Solong, was convicted at the Old Bailey on Monday, February 2, following a three-week trial.
He was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter after a crew member died following a collision with the tanker Stena Immaculate in March 2025.
The collision happened at around 9.47am on Monday, March 10, approximately 10.2 miles off the East Yorkshire coast. Able seaman Mark Pernia, from the Solong, was reported missing and later declared deceased following extensive searches by HM Coastguard.
Humberside Police said investigations showed the Solong was on a fixed course towards anchored vessels and that Motin was the sole person on watch at the time. No warnings were issued prior to the collision, and data showed the vessel’s speed and course remained unchanged until impact.
As previously reported by the Skegness Standard, the collision had significant consequences for the Lincolnshire coast. Skegness RNLI was among the lifeboat crews involved in the emergency response, while tonnes of plastic nurdles from the wreckage were later washed ashore, prompting a months-long clean-up operation along beaches from Skegness and beyond.
In the latest update by East Lindsey District Council, who clean the beaches, they said it was hoped the nodules has ben cleared. A statement said: “Over 18 tonnes of nurdles and burnt plastic debris was cleared from beaches along the East Lindsey coastline.
"There have been no recent sightings on our beaches but we continue to monitor this.”
Earlier this week, Detective Chief Superintendent Craig Nicholson said the captain had “completely failed” in his duty of care and praised the rescue efforts, which he said prevented further loss of life and potentially catastrophic environmental damage.
Following the sentencing, he commented: “Motin has shown no remorse at any stage of the investigation or court proceedings, and even though he has now been sentenced and held accountable for his crimes, it will not bring Mark back.
“I sincerely hope today’s outcome offers Mark’s family some measure of solace and my thoughts remain with them today.”