TWO Russian inland waterways tankers have sunk in the Kerch Strait after both vessels broke in two during heavy weather.

The 4,800 dwt Volgoneft 239 was en-route from the Russian port of Azov to Kavkaz, with 12 crew onboard and capsized after it broke in half off Taman anchorage, Russia on the afternoon of Sunday, December 15.

Seven crew are understood to have rescued following an operation by the Russian Navy in bad weather, after a mayday message was sent by the vessel.

A Lloyd’s List Intelligence report stated that the incident scene has been declared a temporarily restricted zone for all types of marine traffic.

Significant fuel leaks were observed from the vessel’s cargo tanks into the sea. Salvage, search, and rescue operations have been intermittently disrupted due to adverse weather conditions, heavy seas, and poor visibility.

Meanwhile, Volgoneft 239’s sister vessel, Volgoneft 212, is also reported to have broken in two and capsized in the same area.

The inland waterays tanker was en-route from Bagaevskaya to Taman, Russia, with 13 crew onboard. One crew member is confirmed to have died following the incident while two have been hospitalised in serious condition with hypothermia.

The remaining crew members were lifted from the water by a Russian helicopter.

Volgoneft 212 is reported to have been carrying about 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil.

Local prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the incidents, suspecting a violation of safety regulations.

Both ships are part of a long series of inland waterways tankers built by a Russian shipyard in the 1970s. Neither vessel had ever been issued with an International Maritime Organization identity number, confirming that the ships were not certified for operation in international waters.

The sinkings have similaraties to an incident which occurred in November 2007 when the Volgoneft 139 broke in two and sank in the same area after it encountered 5 m waves during a storm while at anchor.