Stena-Immaculate

Vladimir Motin from Primorsky in St Petersburg, Russia, the last captain of the 'Solong', told the court at the Old Bailey in London that he was told by somebody in the shipping company that a similar vessel experienced a "sudden rudder blockage". Motin said he was told not to be "afraid" if it happened on the 'Solong' and he could rectify the problem by restarting the steering gear, stopping the pump and starting it again. He added that the incident "was still under investigation and he asked me if I had a similar problem to report and he would pass it on to technical management. I never had this problem. It never happened here [on the Solong]." Motin told the jury he had worked on ships since 1985 and became captain of the 'Solong 'in 2009, working six months on and six months off. He had already made several trips from Grangemouth in Scotland to Rotterdam when the collision happened. He said that the visibility on the day of the accident was around three nautical miles, and it was daylight when he went back on watch. With those conditions there was no need for a second person on the bridge. He had been on solo watch many times before in similar conditions. The court previously heard Motin told police he had tried to take manual control of the ship's steering when it was one mile away from the 'Stena Immaculate', but the autopilot did not disengage. Motin denies gross negligence manslaughter. The trial was continued.

On Jan 14, the defence barrister of Vladimir Motin, James Leonard KC, said there was no dispute that the captain of the 'Solong' failed to avoid a collision with the ÄStena Immaculate', and an issue would be the extent to which he was at fault. The defendant had accepted he was the officer navigating the 'Solong' alone on the bridge from 8 a.m. He was aware of the 'Stena Immaculate' via radar at least nine nautical miles away and that it was directly in the path of the 'Solong'. The 'Solong' had been on autopilot sailing at a speed of around 16 knots. When she was around three nautical miles away, Motin had visual sight of the 'Stena Immaculate'. Mr Leonard told the jurors: “The defendant will say that when he was approximately one nautical mile away from the Stena Immaculate’s position, he tried to take the Solong out of autopilot so as to attempt to change course to starboard manually, passing to the Stena Immaculate’s stern. There is no dispute that had he changed course in the way he intended, there would have been no collision. That attempt was not successful and the Solong did not change course at all." The barrister invited the jurors to consider whether it was “reasonable” to wait until the 'Solong' was one nautical away from the 'Stena Immaculate' before attempting to steer away, and why he waited until that point. Other issues were what – if anything – Motin should have done after he became aware of the 'Stena Immaculate', when the 'Solong' was at least nine nautical miles away but before he had actual visual sight of it around three nautical miles away. The jurors were also invited to consider what Motin should have done when the 'Stena Immaculate' was three nautical miles away and before it reached a distance of one nautical mile. Detective Constance Richard Bayley was called to present prosecution evidence, including audio recordings from the 'Solong' before and after the crash. The jurors then viewed graphic video footage of the moment the 'Solong' smashed into the side of the 'Stena Immaculate', sending plumes of flame and smoke into the air. A minute went by before Motin could be heard on audio saying: “Stena Immaculate, Stena Immaculate.” In a recording from the 'Stena Immaculate', a loud crash was heard followed by American crew members shouting: “Holy shit..what just hit us…a container ship…this is no drill, this is no drill, fire fire fire, we have had a collision.” In the background, multiple alarm bells could be heard ringing out and a vessel’s horn was repeatedly sounded. In another piece of video footage from the 'Solong', a male voice was heard saying: “Lord help us. Lord help us. Lord help us.” Motin left the bridge via an outside ladder and abandoned ship. The remaining crew left on a lifeboat before being brought to shore on a rescue boat. Earlier on Jan 14, Mr Justice Baker discharged a juror, saying he had been observed “distracting himself and not focusing himself on the evidence in the trial” on the morning, and explained to the remaining 11 jurors that he had “demonstrated an unfitness to serve on the jury”. Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, has denied manslaughter and the Old Bailey trial continued. Report with photos and video: https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/news/national/25764924.captain-waited-tanker-one-nautical-mile-away-bid-avoid-crash/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NEeH8xF9G0

The captain of the 'Solong', the Russian national Vladimir Motin, 59, did “absolutely nothing” to prevent an avoidable and fatal collision, British prosecutors said on Jan 13 as his trial over a crew member’s death began. The 'Solong 'was mainly carrying alcohol and some dangerous goods, including empty but unclean sodium cyanide containers, while the 'Stena Immaculate' was carrying just over 220,000 barrels of high-grade aviation fuel, and waiting for a berth to discharge the cargo. When it was hit, a fire was caused, which spread to both vessels. Jurors were played footage of the allision and its aftermath showing fire and smoke billowing into the sky. Motin was charged days later with causing the death of the Filipino crew member Mark Pernia, 38, whose body has never been found and who has been presumed dead. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of gross negligence manslaughter and is on trial at London’s Old Bailey court, where Little said Pernia’s death was “entirely avoidable.” Little told jurors as Motin listened with the help of a Russian interpreter: “He (Pernia) would still be alive if it was not for the grossly negligent conduct of the man in the dock.” The 'Solong' was on a collision course with the 'Stena Immaculate' for over half an hour before the allision and was sailing at a speed of roughly 18 knots. Little said Motin had sent WhatsApp messages to his wife after the accident, saying “there had been a disaster and he will be ‘guilty’,” to which his wife replied that he should say he did not see the other vessel on the ship’s equipment. The prosecutor told the court that Motin owed Pernia a duty of care as the 'Solong’s captain and as he was “on sole watch duty on the bridge” before the allision. The vessel’s alarm system, which was intended to ensure someone was on the vessel’s bridge, had been switched off and was not active. The crew of the 'Stena Immaculate' and the 'Solong' were given no warning of the impending allision. The trial is expected to conclude in February.

On Nov 19, the crew of the 'Stena Immaculate' was presented with the AOTOS Special Recognition Plaque for their extraordinary actions after the vessel was struck by the container m/v 'Solong' (IMO: 9322554) on March 10. The United Seamen’s Service recognized the Crowley mariners with honours at the 2025 Admiral of the Ocean Sea (AOTOS) Awards. espite a ruptured cargo tank and fire that engulfed both vessels, the crew acted decisively to contain the fire, safeguard thousands of gallons of jet fuel and ensure the safety of all 23 seafarers. Their swift response prevented further disaster and preserved the ship and its cargo. At the time of the incident, the 'Stena Immaculate' was managed by Crowley through its joint venture with owner Stena Bulk USA. “As one of the most prestigious ceremonies in the industry, the AOTOS awards spotlight outstanding maritime achievement and pay tribute to American seafarers whose courageous actions and commitment to safety have made a profound impact on the industry and the welfare of those at sea,” Crowley said in honouring the crew members. Separately, the crew of the Crowley’s owned and operated container m/v 'El Coquí' (IMO: 9721968) earned AOTOS Mariner’s Plaque for Heroism for their actions in the rescue of four U.S. boaters after their sailing vessel sank in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Dominican Republic. Responding to the U.S. Coast Guard’s request for assistance, the 'El Coquí' diverted from its regular route between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico route. Working alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and the fishing vessel 'Bonanza' (IMO: 7738773), which had been sailing nearby, the crew successfully located, retrieved and transported the boater to safety. “We are incredibly proud of our mariners aboard the Stena Immaculate and El Coquí for receiving these honors. These awards are a testament to their courage, professionalism and dedication in moments of crisis. These mariners exemplify Crowley’s unwavering commitment to safety, and their actions remind us why we continually invest in training, preparedness and innovation to protect lives and uphold the highest standards in maritime operations”, said James C. Fowler, senior vice president and general manager of Crowley Shipping. “ The AOTOS Awards, hosted annually by the United Seamen’s Service for over 50 years, recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership has advanced the maritime sector while safeguarding American seafarers. Report with photo: https://shippingtelegraph.com/shipping-reports/stena-immaculate-crew-members-honored-for-heroism-and-life-saving-actions/

The 'Stena Immaculate' has finally arrived in Tuzla under tow on Oct 21. The tanker has now been sold by Stenba Bulk to a buyer who will undertake the necessary repairs at the Desan Yardgem United Shipyards. Prior to the transfer, the ship was reflagged from the United States to the Maltese flag. Meanwhile the relevant authorities continued to investigate the circumstances of the collision with the 'Solong', and any related inquiries should be directed to them. A civil claim between the parties involved was ongoing. The then owners of the 'Stena Immaculate' and the 'Solong' were due to face trial in London’s High Court no earlier than October 2026, following legal action filed by the Stena Bulk Marine Services USA and the Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions against the MS Solong Schiffahrtsgesellschaft, part of Ernst Russ Group. The collision led to the loss of more than 17,500 barrels of jet fuel and the death a 38-year-old Filipino seafarer from the 'Solong', who remains missing and has been presumed dead. The 'Solong'’s master has pleaded not guilty to gross negligence manslaughter and will stand trial at the Old Bailey in January 2026.

On Sep 25, the 'Stena Immaculate', being towed by the tug 'Sea Searaya' (IMO: 9662368), has left the port of Great Yarmoth em route to Yalova for repairs. The convoy, sailing at a speed of about five knots, has an ETA as of Oct 20 in the port of destination. Photo: https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3900493?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest

The 'Stena Immaculate' was expected to leave the port of Great Yarmouth on Sep 24. Port timetables revealed the ship would be towed further out to sea. Tugs have been booked to tow the vessel out of Great Yarmouth's outer harbour. The operation was, however, delayed, with the port expecting the tanker will depart on Sep 26 now. The ship was first to be towed approximately 10 miles north to a point near Winterton-on-Sea. Report with photos: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3e7p9ee0peo

The Crowley Stena Marine Solutions, the joint venture between Crowley and Stena Bulk, has received US permission for a replacement of the damaged 'Stena Immaculate' in the frame of the US’s Tanker Security Program, which is administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to transport fuel supplies for the U.S. Department of Defense. The MARAD has approved operating the 'CS Anthem' (IMO: 9785691), the former 'STI Bosphorus', under the program in order to advance the nation’s strategic sealift capabilities, strengthening U.S. maritime security and providing reliable, U.S.-crewed tanker capacity in support of national defense. The new vessel is largely a swap with the same characteristics as the 'Stena Immaculate'. The CS Anthem had been operating for India’s Scorpio. The tanker was recently transferred to the U.S. flag from the Marshall Islands and now has a homeport of Jacksonville, Florida. Crowley is responsible for crewing and managing the tanker under a bareboat charter through the joint venture. The company also manages the 'Stena Imperative' and 'Stena Impeccable' in the Tanker Security Program. The 'Stena Immaculate' remained berthed in Great Yarmouth ifor the time being.

On Aug 12 the container m/v 'Solong', which had caught fire after the collision with the 'Stena Immaculate', was towed to breakers in Ghent by the tug ' Multratug 36' (IMO: 9985289) with the 'Multratug 35' (IMO: 9964039) as steering tug. The ship had been sold to breakers after unloading the gutted container cargo in Aberdeen, and was towed out of the port on Aug 9. The engine room is still completely intact because the crew flooded it with CO2. All the remaining flammable material are to be removed from the accommodation first, and then the workers can start the flame cutting, removing the hatches, the bow, and finally, manually cutting the ship horizontally down to six meters above the keel. Everything must be ready by Dec 1, and all the pieces will be sent to Turkey on a seagoing vessel. In some cases, the higher-quality ironwork will also be sent to ArcelorMittal for remelting. Reports with photos: https://www.omroepzeeland.nl/nieuws/17698907/rampschip-door-sluizen-van-terneuzen-gesleept?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMNAqhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHq3S0trv3qkpQeJ51YFkLTTJiSBEd30j9dNC3ttvTN6HWQ7tTvt3lXy6aHu2_aem_5am71imXholWxjNj_PbgPw https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/08/13/containerschip-solong-gent-haven-ontmantelen-sloop/

The Russian captain Vladimir Motin, 59, of the 'Solong', which collided with the oil tanker 'Stena Immaculate', resulting in the death of a crew member, Angelo Pernia, a 38-year-old Filipino, appeared in court on Ma 30 for "involuntary manslaughter due to gross negligence." During this hearing before the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, known as the Old Bailey, in London. Motin was expected to declare his guilty plea, which will determine whether a trial will take place. Motin pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until trial. Assisted by a Russian interpreter, Motin earlier confirmed his identity before he entered his plea at London's Central Criminal Court via video link from prison.A further case management hearing has been set for Sept 10. A trial date has been set for Jan 12, 2026. Vladimir Motin, originally from St. Petersburg, has been detained since the accident. In April, Motin appeared by videoconference before a judge, who then decided to postpone the hearing on the suspect's guilt due to the lack of a Russian interpreter available.

An interim Report on the alliision of the 'Solong' and the 'Stena Immaculate' has been Issued by the MAIB: Following the accident, the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch began a formal inquiry and this week issued an interim report that traces the 'Solong'’s course leading up to the collision, creates a timeline for the watchkeeping schedule aboard the ship and shows plainly that the 'Solong' was at fault. The MAIB’s ongoing investigation will focus on several critical aspects. It will encompass the navigation and watchkeeping practices on board both vessels; manning and fatigue management; the condition and maintenance of the vessels involved; the use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary; and the environmental conditions at the time. The 'Stena Immaculate' was pulled to the port of Great Yarmouth, being towed by the tugs 'Brage Viking' (IMO: 9475791) and 'Ormesby Cross' (IMO: 9206944) on the evening of April 11, and safely berthed in the foreport, assisted by the tugs 'Ormesby Cross' (IMO: 9206944), 'Sea Juliett' (IMO: 9778387), 'Camperdown' (IMO: 9974905) and 'Triton' (IMO: 9451537). .It is expected to remain there pending its final repair destination, which has yet to be determined. Reports, photos and video: https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2025-04-11/north-sea-tanker-towed-into-port-one-month-after-collision?fbclid=IwY2xjawJrGzFleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHk4G44MLVn-nasgHUsXSBzdr8gVdSfVSB1GGsmbEo1a36akWZR_qUx27Kyxb_aem_0sGC-1i5tfTt4wxE2GgVeg https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg72150xvx8o https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3826817?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7tbwxxvFSw https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/stena-immaculate-docks-great-yarmouth-10102061

The Russian captain of the 'Soling', Vladimir Motin, appeared before at London's Central Criminal Court, from prison via a video link on April 14. He is charged with gross negligence manslaughter over the death of a crew member. Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, a Filipino crew member on the 'Solong', is missing presumed dead. Mr Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, spoke only to confirm his name during the brief hearing, and the case was adjourned until May 30 for a plea hearing at the same court. Report with picture: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2lz79q2y1vo