ELGA-1

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Salvage operation completed

Salvage work at the "Elga-1" which was adrift in the Black Sea near the city of Balchik continued on Dec 7. After the arrival of two tugs, water was being pumped from the engine room, but the situation remained complicated. The vessel carrying coal left Temryuk (Krasnodar territory) for Varna. On Dec 3, the ship, which was about 160 kilometres to the east of Varna, gave a distress signal, stating that into its engine room began flowing water, and the main pump was out of service. The "Sea Spyder", which was carrying pipes for the South Stream gas pipeline, came to assist and took the Russian crew of 13 on board. By that time the crew were on an inflatable raft. They were taken to Varna and accomodated at a hotel. On Dec 7 at 7.40 p.m. a diver team from Varna aboard the special ship "Nomad" was able to patch the leak. On Dec 8 the "Elga 1" was successfully towed to Varna by the "Barracuda" and other Multraship tugs with the assistance of other port tugs after the arrival. Next an underwater inspection was to be carried out. The interaction between the authorities and salvage team was said to have been excellent, according to Port Captain Valentin Enchev. Bulgarian reports with photos and videos: http://www.maritime.bg/2014/12/06/27683-elga-1/ http://www.maritime.bg/2014/12/06/27687-elga-1/ http://www.maritime.bg/2014/12/07/27717/

Salvage attempt for Elga 1

The "Elga 1" was still afloat on Dec 5 at 0800 a.m. Moscow time. Two Svitzer tugs left Varna for an attempt to salvage the vessel and tow her to Varna. The crew of 13 was taken to Varna aboard the offshore supply vessel "Sea Spider" on Dec 5.

Sinking ship abandoned off Varna

On Dec 3, 2014, the "Elga 1" issued a distress signal at 7.35 p.m. Moscow time, reporting water ingress in the engine room through a faulty stern tube. The vessel was en route from Temryukto Varna with 6000 tons of coal on board. The nearby offshore supply ship "Sea Spider" came to the distressed vessel at 9 p.m. At 11.12 p.m. the master reported that the pumps were unable to control the water ingress, and that the engine room was flooding. He gave order to abandon ship. At 11.55 p.m. the 13 crew members, all of whom were Russians, went to a life raft. On Dec 4 at 02.54 a.m. all were picked up by the "Sea Spider". The castaways were transported to Novorossiysk. In the morning of Dec 4 the "Elga 1" was still afloat in position 43 37 N 030 04 E, 97 nm east of Varna.