Another Russian tanker breaks down in the Pacific Ocean

There have been four accidents involving Russian tankers in a week. This time, another ship broke down in the Pacific Ocean.

The engine of the Mercury vessel failed near Simushir Island. This was reported by Ukrinform with reference to the Sakhalin Region Emergency Situations Ministry.

On the evening of December 17, the Russian agency received information that the Mercury tanker had lost power in the Pacific Ocean, 50 km northeast of Simushir Island, due to the main engine stopping.

There are 19 crew members on board the vessel. On the night of December 18, the Rubin rescue vessel of the marine rescue service left the port of Korsakov and headed to the tanker in distress to tow it.

Also on December 17, another tanker sent a distress signal near the Kerch Strait.

Earlier, USM reported that a Turkish vessel sent a distress signal in the Kerch Strait.

Recall, on December 15, two Russian tankers sank in the Kerch Strait. First, the tanker “Volgoneft-212”, which was carrying 4 tons of oil, suffered an accident. An hour later, a storm hit the “Volgoneft-239”.

The cause of the accident was a strong storm. One of the tankers was cut almost in half by the waves. As a result of the accidents, 4,300 tons of fuel oil and other petroleum products could have spilled into the sea.