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Storm prevents tugboat from towing Samarga to SKorea Donghae

The ship is drifting eastward

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

VLADIVOSTOK, December 26 (Itar-Tass) — A storm has prevented the tugboat Lazurit from bringing in a rope to the stricken dry cargo ship Samarga so as to tow it to the South Korean port of Donghae.

The Samarga got into an emergency situation in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) two days ago when it was on its way from the Republic of Korea to Vladivostok. The ship's main and auxiliary engines ceased operating for an unknown reason. The ship is fully de-energized and has no way.

The ship is drifting eastward. The Lazuri is nearby waiting for an improvement of weather to start a rescue operation. At night, the storm washed away eight pieces of equipment from the ship's deck. The vessel's list was up to 30 degrees. The crew were not hurt, Vladivostok harbour master Alexander Kuvshinov has told Itar-Tass.

The Cambodia-flagged Samarga is registered at the port of Phnom Penh. The ship is 117 metres long and has a deadweight of 7,130 tonnes. The crew consists of 15 members. All are citizens of Russia. The area where the Samarga and the Lazurit are lying is situated approximately 200 miles away from Vladivosotk and 120 miles from Donghae.

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