Azerbaijani ships rescue Russian dry-cargo ship in distress on the Caspian Sea - UPDATED

13:32

A Russian dry-cargo ship in distress in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea was towed to Bayil Shipyard n Baku, said Azerbaijan’s Minister of Emergency Situations Kemaleddin Heydarov, according to APA.

He added that boats of the Caspian Basin Emergency Rescue Service under the Ministry rescued all the crewmembers and there is no problem with them.

Russian flagged Sarmat-1 dry-cargo ship en route to Iran from Astrakhan drifting in the sea after engine breakdown made a distress call for help.

Azerbaijan sent a tugboat and rescue boat which towed the ship to Azerbaijani coast and rescued the crew. None of 11 crewmembers on board the ship reportedly carrying 2,200 metric tons of steel feed were injured.

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12:00

A Russian “Sarmat-1” is being towed by Azerbaijani vessel after facing danger of drowning, according to ANS-PRESS.

A Russian vessel which was reported to face danger of drowning is being towed to Azerbaijani shores. It is expected to be brought today. According to Azerbaijani State Marine Administration, Russian “Sarmat-1” which faced with drown threats about 30 miles (48 km) offshore has been towed by Azerbaijani vessel “Vadim Seyidov”. There is no death or injure reports among 11 people on board. The cause of the incident is said to be due to technical failures in ship’s operation unit. The news about the incident was received at the coordination center for rescue issues located in Astrakhan on December 15.

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10:37

The Azerbaijani side has directed two vessels to the Russian dry-cargo ship "Sarmat-1", suffering disaster on the Caspian Sea, a local television channel ANS informs. "Sarmat-1" suffers disaster in 30 miles from port Dubandi», informed the television channel on Monday referring to the Chief of the State Sea Administration of Azerbaijan Gudrat Gurbanov. To him, the message about the Sarmat-1" suffering disaster entered the Azerbaijani party by the Center of co-ordination of salvage operations of Astrakhan. Immediately, after reception of the message from Astrakhan, the tanker "Shamakhi" was directed to "Sarmat-1".

Besides that, the vessel of Oil Fleet of Azerbaijan, "Vadim Seyidov" was directed to the disaster area as well. G.Gurbanov also informed that the vessels headed to the area of disaster would reach "Sarmat-1" by 10.00 pm local time. The vessel will be towed off to the coast.

The engine of "Sarmat-1" left Astrakhan for the Iranian port Anzali was out of operation. Initial versions said sea waters have already reached the bridge. In connection with the waves, Sarmat-1" dry cargo ship suffering disaster drifts towards the coast with a speed of two miles an hour. The crew of "Sarmat-1" consisting of 11 persons is healthy.

/APA/