The “heroic” crew of a US oil tanker struck in the North Sea triggered a crucial fire-fighting system before abandoning ship. Thanks to their efforts, only one of the Stena Immaculate’s cargo tanks containing jet fuel was damaged,

Vladimir Motin, 59, of St Petersburg, spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and that he did not have an address in the UK.

The Russian captain of the container ship that crashed into a US oil tanker in the North Sea has appeared in court, where he was remanded in custody.