Russian ships make progress

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 2

Russian ships make progress

PA Wellington The Soviet research ship Mikhail Somov, which had been trapped for four months in a huge Antarctic ice floe, and the icebreaker Vladivostok, which freed it, are expected in Wellington in late August. The two ships are making slow but good progress through icy waters, said the representative of Soviet merchant marine organisations, Captain Anatoly Ivanchishen. “The ships have got some 1400 km more of ice-packed water to get through before reaching open seas but both masters are confident of getting out,” Captain Ivanchishen said. After the initial breakout of the ice-mass which had

gripped the Mikhail Somov, the two ships had stood-to while provisions and crew were exchanged. “The news from the Vladivostok’s master, Captain Gennagy Antokhin, is that the crew and research staff are happy and delighted to be heading out,” Captain Ivanchishen said. Captain Ivanchishen said the ships were scheduled to arrive in Wellington by late August to refuel and take on more stores. He was not sure if there would be a crew change for the Mikhail Somov or further plans for the research vessel. The Vladivostok had used Wellington as its last refuelling stop on July 5 before heading south on its rescue mission.