Pavel-Grabovskiy

The “Pavel Grabovsky”, which got stuck and started to sink in the Sea of ​​Azov after the bottom was holed on Feb 16, was still anchored at the scene of the accident, as of Feb 24. Tugs were sent to the ship and repair work began. However the vessel was not allowed to enter the port. IT was claimed that there was a malfunction in the diesel engine and that there was no extreme situation. If the ship can be repaired, it can be towed to the port of Novorossiysk, where a full-scale repair is planned.

The 'Pavel Grabovskiy', with 11 mostly Azerbaijani crew members on board, started sinking in the Sea of Azov on the afternoon of Feb 16, 2025, en route from Rostov-on-Don to Samsun. The vessel, which was carrying 2,939 tons of corn, sustained holes in the hull near the port of Azov as a result of collisions with ice fragments in the Sea of ​​Azov.The two icebreakers 'Kapitan Demidov' (IMO: 8027286) and 'Kapitan Chudinov' (IMO: 8027248) moved to the site. The crew of the freighter did not send a distress signal, but only asked for permission to enter the port of Azov. However, due to the low water level, they have not yet been able to approach the coast. The ship cannot move further either. All that remained was to wait for an opportunity, while water was being drained with hoses. Report with photos and video: https://demokrat.az/az/news/224611/azov-denizdinde-azerbaycanlilarin-oldugu-gemi-batir-video

The Russian TASS has issued an official report denying the media accounts of the distress situation of the 'Pavel Grabovskiy', saying the vessel had reached Azov and repairs were made. They however admitted the vessel went aground but said it was due to weather conditions as the ship was departing Azov to resume its trip to Turkey. Citing the Ministry of Transport, TASS indicated that when the weather has improved and sea levels risen, the vessel would be removed from the roadstead and the owner will make further repairs. The ship has been under the management of a Turkish company since 2013 and had a similar incident in 2013 when it had to be salvaged after going aground in Azov. At that time, it was registered in Sierra Leone. There was a crew of 14 aboard and they had loaded a cargo of wheat. The vessel was inspected at the end of Jan 2025 in Georgia, where eight deficiencies were found, but no detention order was issued. The issues ranged from problems with the life saving equipment to piping, electrical, safety of the pilot ladders, and documentation.