Story perspectives

Captain Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Fatal Collision

2/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Vladimir Motin, captain of the Solong, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence for the death of crew member Mark Angelo Pernia in a collision with the Stena Immaculate oil tanker on March 10, 2025.
The jury concluded that Motin's failure to slow down and alert his crew contributed to the crash.
Pernia, who left behind a young child and a pregnant wife, died in the incident, which raised concerns about environmental damage due to the Solong carrying hazardous materials.
Motin is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.

History

Historical Context

The Exxon Valdez oil spill on March 24, 1989, released approximately 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound, marking the second-largest spill in U.S. history. This disaster led to significant regulatory changes, including the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which aimed to enhance maritime safety and environmental protection, underscoring the ongoing challenges of crew safety and corporate accountability in the industry.

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Story summary

Vladimir Motin, captain of the Solong, was found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence for the death of crew member Mark Angelo Pernia in a collision with the Stena Immaculate oil tanker on March 10, 2025.
The jury concluded that Motin's failure to slow down and alert his crew contributed to the crash.
Pernia, who left behind a young child and a pregnant wife, died in the incident, which raised concerns about environmental damage due to the Solong carrying hazardous materials.
Motin is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday.

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