Grigoriy-Bugrov

MRCC Moscow reported Oct 23 2011, that tanker Grigoriy Bugrov, which sank in Caspian sea with 6000 mt of heavy fuel on board on a shallow, was refloated after sealing 5 big holes along the portside, from bow to engine room area. No significant oil spill reported. Tanker is on even keel, discharging of the cargo under way – the decision to off-load the vessel and then tow it to safety was found to be most feasible and safe. Vessel collided with uncharted underwater object, during salvage that object found to be a sunk vessel with two holds and a crane in middle section area, length 50 meters. Vessel is in position 44 29N 48 12E. Russian Ministry of Transport said tanker stranded off recommended course into a zone, marked as Navy firing zone exercise, and presumed the object belonged to Navy. Russian Navy strongly denied that, so it’s not clear by now, who was the owner of the sunk vessel and whether it was charted or not. Meanwhile, there are problems with salvage expenses, as the owner of the vessel, Oil Marine Group Co., found itself in a difficult situation. Pics of the distressed vessel at Maritime Bulletin http://www.odin.tc

The half sunk tanker "Grigoriy Bugrov" is expected to be towed to the Volga-Caspian Canal and further to the port of Astrakhan once it is raised. Actually the ship is surrounded by oil-containment booms, and divers are inspecting the vessel. The regional EMERCOM in Russia's Dagestan has set up operational headquarters to manage the rescue and salvage operation, deployed 11 units of equipment and a team of 131 rescuers.

As of Oct 15, m/t Grigoriy Bugrov is in the same position and condition, half-sank in position 44 28N 48 12E (37 nm NE of Chechen Island, near the entrance to Volga – Caspian sea Canal). There is almost no leak, divers didn’t find any holes in hull, and that means hole is in bottom, in engine room area – hole is sealed by the ground. Salvage operation is under full swim, with all available salvage vessels and equipment dispatched to the distressed vessel. Rescuers and authorities are working out hourly time-table of the salvage. They don’t give the details of salvage plan, but seemingly, there is a good chance of refloating the vessel. Now to the cause of the distress, that’s very interesting. Tanker collided with unknown and uncharted submerged object, stranding off course and recommended route into Russian Navy training firing zone, said Russian Ministry of Transport. Russian Navy meanwhile, keeps silence and … See full report and photo gallery at Maritime Bulletin http://www.odin.tc/news/read.asp?articleID=61