Fire Breaks Out on Abandoned Ship Rise Shine off Nakhodka Coast

Fire Breaks Out on Abandoned Ship Rise Shine off Nakhodka Coast

Fire on the Ship

A fire broke out on the abandoned container ship, Rise Shine, previously grounded off the coast of Nakhodka in Primorye in 2021. The blaze was successfully extinguished, sparing the surrounding waters from pollution. The Panama-flagged ship, deserted since it ran aground, has been a subject of concern due to its potential environmental impact.

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Ship’s History

The Rise Shine vessel arrived in Nakhodka from China on November 5, 2021, and ran aground on November 9 of the same year. The 14 crew members, all Chinese citizens, were safely evacuated. In mid-December 2021, the sailors were flown back home, leaving the ship abandoned and grounded off the coast of Nakhodka.

Rescue Operation

The grounding of the ship prompted a challenging rescue operation by Russia’s Emergencies Ministry. The rescue was complicated due to the location’s inaccessibility and severe weather conditions, including high seas and strong winds. A rescue vessel was dispatched from Vladivostok, but it was later decided that an airlift would be the most feasible way to rescue the 14 crew members. The operation involved more than 60 people and 20 pieces of equipment. All crew members were safely transferred to shore.

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Environmental Concerns

The 5,580 dwt general cargo ship was carrying 200 containers, along with more than 300 tons of fuel and lubricants, when it ran aground. Reports suggested that the ship’s hull had cracked in the high seas, raising concerns about potential water pollution. However, no large-scale spills have been reported till now. Salvors from the Russian Marine Rescue Service began pumping fuel out of the ship’s tanks shortly after the grounding. Despite interruptions due to rough weather conditions, they managed to remove about 100 tonnes out of a total of 300 tonnes of fuel and lube oil onboard. A pollution containment boom was installed around the hull as a precautionary measure.

Investigation and Future Plans

A thorough investigation into the cause of the casualty is currently underway. The Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor’s Office has organized an audit of compliance with navigation safety legislation, which will assess the measures taken to prevent and eliminate the spill of oil products. While the ship remains grounded, efforts are ongoing to minimize environmental impact and to eventually move the vessel.

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