A Chinese handysize has been evacuated off Russia after a hole was found in its hull, possibly caused by heavy sea ice in the area.
The Interfax news agency said the 32,500-dwt Yong Xing 56 (built 2008) sent a distress signal about water ingress in the Tartar Strait on Thursday evening.
The press service of the main directorate of the ministry of emergency situations in the Sakhalin region said all 21 seafarers had safely left the bulker.
The China-flag ship was heading from Huanghua in China to the Russian port of Vanino.
Russian owner Sakhalin Shipping’s 80-passenger ferry Sakhalin-8 (built 1985), which was also heading to Vanino, embarked the crew members, who are all Chinese.
Authorities reported a hole in the starboard side that was allowing water into cargo hold No 1.
A rescue ship was heading to the scene to gain more information.
Maritime Bulletin said in an update that the hull had reportedly been breached by ice.
The ship and several others were said to be adrift in ice floes, awaiting an ice breaker.
Initial speculation had centred on a collision with another vessel, and this has not been ruled out.
UK insurance
The vessel is operated by Ningbo Rongzheng Shipping, which could not be contacted.
AIS shows the Yong Xin 56 as stopped in the strait on Friday.
The ship has insurance cover through the UK P&I Club.
The bulker was last detained in the US in 2019 with four deficiencies.
Grounds for the detention included problems with the fixed fire extinguishing equipment and pumping, piping and discharge arrangements.
