Russian captain of container ship that crashed into tanker denies manslaughter
The Russian captain of a container ship that tore into a tanker carrying fuel for the US military has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of a crew member.
Vladimir Motin, from Primorsky, St Petersburg, was alone on the bridge of the Portuguese-flagged Solong that crashed into the Stena Immaculate off the northeast coast of England.
The 59-yearold appeared at the Old Bailey today – just two months after the collision that triggered multiple major explosions some 10 miles from Hull.
He was charged four days later with causing the death of Filipino national and Solong crew member Mark Pernia, 38, was lost at sea and has since been presumed dead.
In court, Motin confirmed his identity before he pleaded not guilty to the single charge of manslaughter.
All 23 people on the tanker were rescued along with 13 crew from the US-flagged Solong, but Mr Pernia could not be located.
He was working in the forward deck of the Solong, in an area where one of the explosions happened.
Stena was loaded with at least 200,000 tons of highly flammable jet fuel.
Both vessels were entangled following the collision, before they drifted apart with thick smoke billowing into the air for hours.
The crash left Stena Immaculate, which remained anchored, with a giant hole.
Meanwhile, Solong began to drift along the coast as it was followed by tugboats ready to intervene.
Motin will next appear for a hearing on September 10.
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