Russia is facing more trouble with its tankers as the Mercury becomes the fourth vessel to have a major issue in just one week.
As reported by The Moscow Times, the tanker was carrying 19 crew members before it broke down near the Kuril Islands after its engine failed.
The incident happened 50 kilometers northeast of Simushir Island, according to the Sakhalin Region Ministry of Emergency Situations on Telegram.
On December 17, the Mercury sent out a distress signal to the marine rescue center in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Rescue ship Rubin has been sent to tow the stranded tanker to port.
A Week of Tanker Problems
The Mercury incident comes after three other major tanker problems earlier this week:
December 16-17: The Volgoneft 109 reported a tank breach near the port of Kavkaz. Fuel oil leaked into its ballast tank, but no oil spilled into the sea, and the ship’s hull was undamaged.
December 15: The Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239 sank during a storm in the Kerch Strait. One person died, and 11 crew members were seriously injured. Over 4,200 cubic meters of oil were spilled, polluting kilometers of Black Sea coastline.
Both the Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239 were long overdue for retirement.
Built in 1969 and 1973, these ships were well past their expected 40-year lifespan. Experts say neither vessel should have been in stormy waters, as they were not designed for such conditions. Reports also revealed that Volgoneft 239 lacked valid sea operation documents.
The oil spill in the Black Sea has caused serious environmental concerns. Greenpeace has warned of lasting damage to marine life, while local authorities in Krasnodar Krai declared emergencies in affected areas.
