Russian ship grounded
The Russian fishery vessel ”Petrozavodsk” this morning grounded by the coast of the Bear Island in the Barents Sea. Norwegian authorities fear that oil will leak from the vessel and harm the rich sea bird populations in the area.
All the 12 sailors of the “Petrozavodsk” are reported to be safe and well after the ship grounded this morning by the South Cape at the Bear Island.
Assistant Governor on the Svalbard archipelago Lars Fause confirms to NRK that the ship has 54 cubic meters of oil as well as other petroleum substances on board. He fears that the oil could leak into the waters and harm the vulnerable marine environment.
The ship grounded in an area with big cliffs and with major sea bird populations. Mr. Fause says. He underlines to NRK that the top priority now is to prevent oil from the vessel to harm the vulnerable environment. The coast guard vessels “KV Svalbard” and “KV Harstad” have both been sent to the area to assist in the oil clear-up operation. Both ships have oil preparedness equipment on board.
The ship crew is being transported with helicopter first to the Bear Island and then to the Norwegian mainland, RIA Novosti reports.
The “Petrozavodsk” operates in the Barents Sea as transport vessel for trawlers in the area.
