The Russian-flagged Mekhanik Yartsev developed a significant list while underway in the English Channel.
The HM Coastguard is assisting a Russian-flagged cargo ship after it had developed a significant list while underway in the English Channel on Tuesday.
The vessel, the MV Mekhanik Yartsev, reported to the Coastguard on Tuesday that it had lost 30 pieces of cargo during bad weather around 1 a.m. while approximately 20 miles south of the Worthing, England.
The cargo packages are approximately 3-4 cubic meters each and contain timber, but they are reported to have broken up resulting into individual planks floating on the surface.
The vessel is currently at anchor in the Solent just outside Portsmouth Harbour.
The 13 crew onboard are reported to be safe.
Plans to bring the vessel to a berth in Southampton on Tuesday night were postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
An update on Wednesday said that Southampton Harbour is making preparations for the arrival of the vessel into an enclosed dry dock area, but due to wind conditions and the fact that the vessel is stable, it will remain at anchor until Thursday when better weather is forecasted. Wind on Wednesday was reported as Gale Force 7 and gusting to 8.
The Mekhanik Yartsev is scheduled to transit to Southampton Harbour on Thursday under its own power and with help from tug escort. Once there, the vessel’s cargo will be removed.
A tug and an RNLI All Weather Lifeboat remain on scene.
The 2,650 dwt vessel was sailing from Riga, Latvia to Warrenpoint, Ireland when it developed the list, according to AIS.
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