MV Solong Captain Blames Steering Confusion in Fatal North Sea Collision
Russian captain Vladimir Motin faces gross negligent manslaughter charges after the cargo ship Solong collided with the anchored tanker Stena Immaculate near the Humber Estuary on March 10, 2025, causing a fire that engulfed both vessels and leaving one Filipino sailor missing, as reported by Safety4Sea.
Motin told the court that unexpected problems with the ship’s steering controls contributed to the crash. New labels on the bridge buttons made it difficult to distinguish between autopilot and manual steering, while a red sticker obscured an indicator light, he said. According to The Maritime Telegraph, he admitted to panicking in the final moments before the collision.
The collision occurred in daylight with moderate visibility, and investigation documents show neither vessel had a dedicated lookout on the bridge. The Maritime Executive reports that prosecutors argue Motin should have acted sooner, as radar showed the tanker at several miles and standard collision avoidance procedures were not followed.
Motin, who has commanded the Solong on six-month rotations since 2009, also stated that agents in Rotterdam warned him about a steering issue on a sister ship, though he experienced no problems on his vessel.
The Stena Immaculate, at anchor carrying U.S. military jet fuel, suffered ruptured tanks and intense fire. Most crew members were rescued, but flames prevented reaching the missing sailor.
The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks as the court examines technical evidence and human factors in this high-profile maritime case.
