Key Takeaways:
– Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean, with two crew members currently missing.
– The ship started sinking due to an explosion in the engine room.
– Ursa Major was owned by Oboronlogistika, a Russian company under U.S. and E.U. sanctions.
– The cargo ship was carrying two cranes weighing 380 tons each, but was otherwise empty.
– A Russian warship arrived to oversee rescue operations.
An Unexpected Tragedy at Sea
A Russian cargo ship, the Ursa Major, foundered in the Mediterranean Sea between the territories of Spain and Algeria, leaving two crew members unaccounted for. This incident was confirmed by Spain’s maritime rescue agency and the Russian Foreign Ministry. This unexpected maritime catastrophe has left authorities and investigators working diligently to piece together the events that led to the sinking.
Rescue Efforts and Lost Crew Members
The vessel was reported to have had a crew of 16 people onboard. Among them, 14 individuals were successfully rescued uninjured from a lifeboat and have since been relocated to Spain. However, concern grows for the two missing crew members who remain unaccounted for.
Cause of the Accident
The Russian Ministry explained that the sinking of the ship was initiated by an explosion which originated in the engine room. However, Spanish authorities have yet to verify the cause of the incident. Investigations are still underway.
About the Vessel
SK-Yug, a subsidiary of the Russian shipping and logistics company Oboronlogistika, owned the Ursa Major. This company has significant connections to Russia’s military operations hence its placement under U.S. and EU sanctions. The vessel was reported to be transporting two empty containers and two heavy-duty cranes, each weighing 380 tons. According to Oboronlogistika, the cranes were slated for delivery to the far-Eastern Russian city of Vladivostok.
Alert and Response
Spanish authorities first received an alert about the troubled vessel around 1 p.m. Monday. At this time, the Ursa Major was approximately 57 nautical miles from the southeastern region of Almería in Spain. The maritime rescue agency was swiftly alerted and dispatched to the scene.
Ongoing Investigation
A Russian warship arrived on the night of Monday to supervise the ongoing rescue operations. Confirmation was received that the 142-meter cargo vessel fully submerged around midnight. The investigation into the exact cause and circumstances surrounding the accident continues in coordination between the Russian embassy in Spain and local authorities.
Environmental Monitoring
Following the unfortunate incident, Spanish maritime rescue personnel remained in the vicinity on Tuesday to observe for possible pollution and to eliminate any hazardous floating debris that could pose a threat to maritime navigation. This precautionary measure is essential to maintain the safety of the waters as well as the global shipping and logistics industry.
Notable Concurrent Events
Interestingly, another Russian cargo ship, the Sparta, which is also under U.S. sanctions, happened to be in the western Mediterranean around the same time as the Ursa Major. As of Tuesday, the Sparta was reported to be heading towards Port Said in Egypt.
Preliminary reports and investigation do not suggest any connection between the two ships despite their close proximity in the Mediterranean.
Final Note
Russian ships often make the journey from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok via the Mediterranean, using the Suez Canal. While the route through Russia’s northern Arctic region is becoming increasingly popular due to global warming, most vessels still prefer the long-established southern route during winter.
The sinking of the Ursa Major is a sobering reminder of the inherent risks of maritime travel and the invaluable role rescue services provide in responding to such incidents. The thoughts and prayers of many are with the missing crew members and hopes for their safe return prevail.