Viktor Chernov, head of the Marine Rescue Service, detailed the stages of the operation to raise the stern section of the tanker "Volgoneft-239," which ran aground off Cape Panagia in the Krasnodar Territory.
After the wreck caused by the storm on December 15, the stern section of the tanker ended up 82 meters from the shore. To prevent oil spills, specialists installed over 250 boom barriers.
The main task is to extract fuel oil from the stern section's tanks. To do this, it is planned to restore the tanker's petroleum product heating system. 20 tons of diesel fuel and fresh water will be delivered to the stern section to heat the fuel oil to a temperature at which it can be safely pumped out. This process may take about five days. The start of the operation to raise the stern section will depend on weather conditions.
After pumping out the fuel oil, the stern section will be removed from the shallows and transported to a safe place. The final decision on its fate will be made after assessing its condition — it may either be disposed of or restored by the tanker's owner.
The incident with the tankers "Volgoneft-212" and "Volgoneft-239" led to the pollution of the coasts of Anapa, Temryuk, Sevastopol, Feodosia, and Kerch with petroleum products.
