Vessel Atlas Joins Rescue Mission in Sea of Okhotsk, Russia

Rescue Vessel Atlas Joins Rescue Mission in Sea of Okhotsk, Russia

Following the overturn of Russia’s Kolskaya drilling rig on December 18, the Atlas rescue vessel has joined the searching of the missing crewmen this morning Itar-Tass News Agency reports.

The Atlas vessel is participating in rescue operations together with other rescuing boats, among which there are the Magadan icebreaker, the Georgy Froyer tanker and the Smith Sakhalin supply vessel.

Three helicopters and two airplanes are also providing help upon search for the missing men in the nearby areas.

According to the latest reports, 4 crew members have been confirmed dead, 14 rescued and there are 49 still missing.

There is a little hope left that those missing will be found alive since the weather conditions are poor and the water is freezing.

On December 18, the rig capsized some 200 km off Russia’s Far East Sea of Okhotsk since strong waves broke some of the rig’s equipment and the portholes in the crew’s dining room. The crew had no chances to escape because the life boats were washed away.

[mappress]

World Maritime News Staff, December 20, 2011