A cargo ship captain has been jailed for six years after a crew member died in a collision caused by his failure to keep a proper lookout.
Vladimir Motin, 59, was on watch on the Solong when it collided with US tanker Stena Immaculate off the East Yorkshire coast on 10 March last year. Mark Angelo Pernia, 38, went missing presumed dead following the crash.
A trial at the Old Bailey heard Motin did not keep a proper lookout, failed to use all available means to determine the risk of collision, and did not leave enough time to take evasive action.
Prosecutor Julia Faure-Walker told the court Motin had lied about what happened to “get back to his wife” in Russia.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Andrew Baker said Motin’s version of events was “extremely implausible” and told him Mr Pernia’s death was “wholly avoidable.”
The judge said the basic facts of the collision “suggest a ship unaware of the ship ahead” and that was the “most likely” explanation.
Defence barristers previously told the trial there was no doubt Motin was at fault for the collision, but claimed his actions did not amount to gross negligence manslaughter.
Motin was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter following the trial at the Old Bailey in London.
