UK authorities have found serious safety deficiencies on a Russian bulker than ran aground late last year.
The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) detained the 19,885-dwt Kuzma Minin (built 1980) on 18 December in Falmouth after it ran around that day on a nearby beach.
The ship, which is owned by Russia’s Murmansk Shipping Company, was found to have a total of 13 deficiencies during the UK MCA inspection, of which six are grounds for detention.
The bulker’s lifeboats were found to be damaged and other lifesaving equipment like inflatable life rafts, lifebuoys and medical supplies were out of date or not maintained properly.
The gyro compass did not work and there were insufficient provisions onboard for the 18-strong crew of Russian nationals.
Documentation for the seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA) and Maritime Labour Certificate was also found to have expired, which is grounds for detention.
The vessel ran aground of the south-west coast of England in December after dragging its anchor in extreme weather. It was refloated on the high tide less than 24 hours later.
The UK MCA is reportedly not allowing the ship to leave Falmouth until essential repair work has been completed and the detainable deficiencies have been rectified by the shipowner.
It remains unclear how long this process will take.
A fuel tank was breached in the grounding and flooded with sea water, but no pollution was released from the vessel.
The 18 crew members remain onboard the ship, which is at anchor off the port of Falmouth. Local press reports say the crew have sufficient food and stores for the time being.
