16,000-tonne Russian cargo ship runs aground off Falmouth after night of 'horrendous' winds

A rescue operation is under way after a 16,000-tonne Russian cargo ship ran aground off a popular beach in Cornwall in the early hours of the morning.

The coastguard believes that strong winds overnight were the cause of the accident. Locals have been warned to keep off the beach as rescuers attempt to re-float the vessel.

The 16,000-tonne Kuzma Minin was photographed before dawn by locals, grounded off Gyllyngvase beach near Falmouth.

There is no cargo on the ship, which has about 18 crew members on board and it was reported to have set off from the Dutch port of Terneuzen.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the 590ft ship had dragged its anchor and has a list of about five degrees.

There are hopes the carrier can be re-floated, and at around 9am a coastguard pilot was winched on to the stranded ship by helicopter.

Mark Sansom, the harbour master at Falmouth, said: “We are in the process of getting a pilot on board the vessel by helicopter and there are other personnel going to assess the situation.

“We are expecting the weather conditions to improve and we’ll be looking for an opportunity to refloat the vessel.”

It is thought the ship went astray at 5.40am because of strong wings.

The deputy director of the Murmansk Shipping Company, which owns the Kuzma Minin, said the ship had gotten stuck due to "unsafe shipping conditions" off the British coast.

"The ship got caught on some sort of chain that was on the bottom of the strait," Ildar Neverov told state news agency RIA Novosti. "That is to say there were unsafe shipping conditions in the place where the ship was located. As a result, it passed some distance out of control and ran aground. The situation is under control."

Mr Neverov said four tugs had arrived and chances were "better than good" the ship would be freed when the tide rose.

Local divers would also conduct an underwater examination of the Kuzma Minin for damage. He expected it to resume its voyage on Tuesday after receiving engine oil.

"We will move on," he said. "No damage is visible, there aren't any problems. We think the situation isn't bad."

Kuzma Minin was a merchant who led a Russian uprising against invading Poles in the 17th century.

Former Falmouth senior pilot captain David Barnicoat told BBC Radio Cornwall: "It’s a classic grounding in bad weather and strong winds. The wind overnight was pretty horrendous. Where I live I hadn’t heard wind like it for quite a few years.

"It sounds as if she dragged anchor and the engines may not have been



ready or she may have had some other problem. Once that anchor breaks from the sea bed and you start dragging then you have no control whatsoever."

While there have as of yet been no reports of oil spills or pollution, he said it remains a risk.

He explained: "It's a little bit rocky where she is, so there could be some pollution. Just to the south-west of the beach it is all rocky shoreline so there is potential for pollution."

Sightseers have already begun to flock to see the boat.

Former Royal Navy sailor Ian Cocklin tweeted: "Getting busy with sightseers already. I am leaving now but people have to let the emergency services do their job. Please all people to stay off the beach.."

Attempts to refloat the ship were still underway at lunch time, with an operation due to take place 13:15, but coastguards said that, if it was felt the ship was moving enough, they would make an earlier attempt.

Coastguard winchman Niall Hanson was seen being lowered on to the ship to help the crew on board. No injuries have been reported.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "There will be an attempt later today (18 December) to refloat the Russian vessel which ran aground earlier this morning off Cornwall.

"HM Coastguard is currently coordinating assistance to the Kuzma Minin, a Russian flagged 180 metre bulk carrier, which dragged and grounded on the western side of the port entrance between Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches at around 0540 today.

"The vessel has 18 Russian crew on board but there are no reported injuries. There is no cargo on board. She currently has a list of five degrees but there is no report of any pollution.

"HM Coastguard and Devon & Cornwall Police have declared a major incident due to the large number of people that use the beach and the disruption to traffic in the town. The Secretary of State’s Representative (SOSRep) Maritime Salvage & Intervention is closely monitoring the situation and the local Environment Group is also being kept informed.

"Tugs are on their way to the vessel and Falmouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat is standing by at the scene. Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team have cordoned off an area around the ship.

"HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter based at Newquay was used to transfer a marine pilot on to the vessel.

"The attempt to refloat the vessel will take place during high tide later today using harbour tugs".

The Kuzma Minin delivers cargo around northern Europe, and ssailed from the port of Terneuzen in the Netherlands on 12 December, arriving in Falmouth Bay just after midday on 14 December.