On the afternoon of January 16, the 90 meter long cargo vessel Stepan Geyts (IMO: 8308939) sustained damage in the Sea of Japan while berthed at Plastun, Russia. The Stepan Geyts was loading a cargo of timber when it developed a list to starboard. The list was severe enough that some of the crew on the cargo vessel abandoned ship onto the quay. However, the timber cargo on top of the deck slipped overboard allowing the vessel to right itself. Local authorities stated 1,000 cubic meters of timber fell into harbor and would require several days to be removed. The Stepan Geyts sustained some damage from the incident. No reports of injuries.
The Stepan Geyts had been detained in November 2024 due to deficiencies that required repairs. Authorities have stated the incident may have been caused by improper loading of the timber cargo, insufficient ballast and not properly securing the timber cargo. Some reports suggest the vessel was overloaded. The incident is under investigation.
On January 13, the 240 meter long, 47800 gt passenger ship Viking Vela (IMO: 9852432) sustained damage on the North Sea. The Viking Vela was headed to Narvik, Norway from Ijmuiden, Holland when it encountered weather worse than forecasted. The vessel was rocked by severe weather with waves reaching 35 feet and winds over 100 miles-per-hours. Reports state many of the passengers had sustained minor injuries caused by the heavy swells. Passengers stated that furniture was tossed about with beds, tables and luggage strewn on the floor.
The vessel also sustained some damage. The crew alerted Norwegian authorities that it had issues with its propulsion. One of the thrusters reported a wear alarm which required attention and the vessel diverted to the safety of Ålesund. Escorted by two tugs, the Viking Vela was able to reach port safely. No further details of the extent of damage to the thruster was reported.
Reports state the vessel extended its stay at Ålesund for several more days. As of January 16, the vessel remained in port stating it was too rough to continue. Passengers have received a partial refund as it has cancelled part of the voyage.
On November 17, the 132 meter long, 4190 dwt tanker Volgoneft 109 (IMO: 8230651) suffered damage in the Sea of Azov off the Taman Pennisula, Russia. The Volgoneft 109 was loaded with 4000 metric tons of mazut on board when it suffered hull failure with a crack just forward of the bridge. The tanker has suffered water ingress and pollution has been seen being released into the sea. No reports of injuries to the 14 crew. It can’t be determined if the tanker has controlled the flooding or if the tanker is at risk of breaking up. Video of the incident shows the tanker taking water over its deck with the mazut cargo leaking out into the sea.
Russian Authorities Version
The Russian federal shipping agency Rosmorrechflot state the Volgoneft 109 had been at anchor in the Kerch Strait off Port Kavkaz. The tanker suffered damage to the cargo tank, but there was no water ingress and no pollution released into the sea. The vessel had sent out a distress call due to a fracture in the hull, but the incident was “not critical”. Videos released of the Vologneft 109 suggests the Russian authorities do not want any further focus on these incidents.
Updated Theories
This is the third tanker to suffer hull damage in two days. The incident with the Volgoneft 109, built in 1973, suggests the incidents are not due to wave damage, but the tankers lack of structural integrity. Photos and videos of all three Volgoneft tankers show rust and lack of recent maintenance. This suggests the tankers could have been already close to structural failure and the stormy conditions just hastened the eventual fate of the vessels.
Ukraine maritime authorities have stated these tankers were never designed for winter storms. Another authority has stated the vessels had departed from Volgograd bound to deliver the fuel for the Russian Navy to explain why the tankers would be exposed to the stormy conditions rather than remain in port or within the safety of the Don River. News reports suggest the urgency to resupply the Russian Navy is most likely the driving factor for all three incidents.
