Russian ship captain convicted over fatal North Sea collision

A London court has found the captain of the Russian cargo vessel Solong guilty of involuntary manslaughter following a deadly collision in the North Sea last year. 

The accident occurred on March 10, about 20 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire, England, when the Solong, en route to the port of Rotterdam, collided with the tanker Stena Immaculate. The tanker, which was anchored at the time, was chartered by the United States armed forces and was carrying approximately 220,000 barrels of aviation fuel, Caliber.Az reports per Bild. 

The collision triggered fires on both vessels and led to significant environmental pollution after fuel spilled into the sea. Emergency services rescued 36 people from the two ships, while the fire reportedly burned for eight days.

One crew member of the Solong, 38-year-old Filipino sailor Mark Angelo P., died as a result of the incident. His body was never recovered, but he was officially declared dead.

The court ruled that the Solong’s captain, 59-year-old Vladimir M., was responsible for the sailor’s death due to negligence. Prosecutors stated that the captain failed to take basic safety measures, including sending a distress signal, reducing speed, sounding alarms, or applying emergency braking. They also accused him of providing false accounts of the incident.

Chief Prosecutor Michael Gregory described the death as “entirely preventable” and said it resulted from “gross negligence.” He added that it was fortunate no other crew members were injured.

A jury concluded that Captain Vladimir M. bore sole responsibility for the fatality. Sentencing is scheduled for February 5.

By Sabina Mammadli