On December 23, the 142 meter long, 9400 dwt cargo vessel Ursa Major (IMO: 9538892) sank in the Mediterranean Sea some 58 miles off the coast of Almeira, Spain. The Ursa Major had departed from St. Petersburg, Russia on December 11 and reported to be bound for Vladivostok with empty containers in the hold, cargo hatches for icebreakers and two cranes on deck.  While sailing between Spain and Algeria, the vessel suffered an explosion in the engine room. The crew had been trying to fix the fuel line to the main engine when vapors ignited. The explosion damaged the main engine resulting in a power blackout and hull damage.  The vessel’s hull had partially blown out resulting in uncontrolled water ingress.  Unable to contain the flooding, the vessel developed a starboard list.

Fourteen of the 16 crew on board abandoned the Ursa Major in the vessel’s lifeboat. Spanish authorities were alerted and the Salvamento Maritimó sent out two vessels and a helicopter to assist. All 14 crew would be rescued and safely transported to the port of Cartagena, Spain.  A Russian warship arrived on scene a short time later and took charge of search and rescue operations. No further details on the 2 missing crew.

The Ursa Major would later sink the following morning on December 24.  Authorities have alerted of the possible damage from drifting wreckage around where the vessel sank. News reports outside of Russia state the Ursa Major was most likely headed for Syria or Libya and not Vladivostok.