BELGICA

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Latest news

Ukraine plans to repair research vessel which was damaged by the Russians

Ukrainian scientists plan to restore the 'Borys Alexandrov' which was damaged due to a Russian missile attack on the port of Odessa. This was announced at a briefing in Odessa by a marine biologist, head of the National Antarctic Research Center Evgeniy Dikiy. The ship was brought to Ukraine in 2021 as part of the EU EMBLAS project and the UN development programme for enhanced monitoring of the Black Sea. On July 23, Russia attacked the port of Odessa with Kalibr-type cruise missiles. Two missiles were shot down by Ukrainian anti-aircraft gunners, two hit the infrastructure of the port. The impact caused a fire in the port.

Medevac off Zeebrugge

In the night of MAr 2, 2016, the KNRM-lifeboat "Zeemanshoop" medevaced a Crew member of the "BMS Belgica". The person had been unwell for several hours aboard the Research vessel, but due to the strong winds blowing at force 7 from west the ship could not reach the port of Zeebrugge and contacted the Radio Medical Service (RMD). The RMD doctor advised a meddevac, and the Dutch Coast Guard alerted the lifeboat. Upon arrival it was found that the waves were so high that the patient had to stay on board the ship. After a short time, the weather calmed and the lifeboat took over the patient and transported it to Flushing where an ambulance was waiting.