Wants Russian ship wreck removed
The Governor of Svalbard recommends that the wreck of ”Petrozavodsk”, the Russian transport vessel which ran on ground on the coast of the far northern Bear Island in 2009, should be removed.
“Petrozavodsk” ran aground right in the middle of the breeding area of large sea bird colonies in May 2009. Both the captain and mate of the vessel were charged for breaking the Maritime Code by drinking while on duty.
The wreck broke in two pieces last winter and started to fall apart. The wreck contains dangerous environmental poisons that will not disintegrate in nature or disintegrate very slowly.
- These poisonous substances will be accumulated in the species living in the area and can give damages that will reduce the survival capabilities of fish, seabirds and seal, says Governor of Svalbard Odd Olsen Ingerø to NRK. He recommends that the wreck should be emptied of remaining pollutants and removed.
