SEAGRAND

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Latest news

Captain of freighter sentenced to 2,5 years of probation

South Korea’s Busan District Court has sentenced Andrey Serkiov, the captain of a the "Seagrand" that crashed into a bridge on Feb 28, to 2.5 years of probation. He was found guilty of an attempt to leave the scene of the incident following a crash with a yacht in a port - before te bulk carrier crashed into the bridge - as well as of setting up obstacles for transportation and manoeuvring a ship under the influence of alcohol. The sentence implies that he will be at liberty for 4 years, in case he does not commit other crimes during this period. The vessel’s captain and the crew members stated that the incident had been caused by difficult nautical conditions, wind and the absence of a Korean marine pilot and tow lines.

Captain disoriented on the bridge

The Korean Coast Guard reported on March 5 that the Data Recorder and CCTV footage in the wheelhouse of the "Seagrand" showed the captain disoriented, as he was allegedly already under the influence of alcohol. The Coast Guard stated that improper steering and high speed caused the vessel to come in contact with three anchored yachts and the Gwangan Bridge. Busan Marine Police handed over the captain to the prosecutors. In addition to the charges the captain is facing, local authorities were also discussing in asking compensation from the vessel's shipping company regarding the damages done to the Gwangan Bridge. By the end of April the ship remained stationary at Busan. Photos and video: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2997551 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2997553 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2986304 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fla9lLPXEvg

Russian ship denied collision with other vessel

The "Seagrand" was in communication with local marine traffic control, according to the city's maritime police. The latest findings indicated the captain, or possibly other crewmembers of the vessel, were in contact with the traffic control, contradicting earlier claims the captain of the ship could not respond to radio signals because he did not speak English. The captain of the ship was also drunk at the time of the crash. The Busan maritime police said on March 4 that the Russian vessel was in correspondence with traffic control before and after the accident. Communication was lost for about 14 minutes, during which the crash took place. The records from Busan police showed the control center was in communication with the "Seagrand" prior to the accident. When the ship was asked whether it was leaving Yongho Pier it replied "yes," and asked for tug asistance. The "Seagrand" then confirmed it had collided with the yacht "Midas" and would be returning to port. But minutes later, the ship denied the collision and aske for two tugs to tow it out to sea. Communication was subsequently lost, during which time the Seagrand crashed into the bi-level Gwangan Bridge. Seven minutes after the allision, the ship again reached out to traffic control, reporting it would be dangerous to anchor the vessel. The drunken captain had directed the vessel in the opposite direction before the accident. The ship left a 15-foot hole in the lower portion of the bridge. The investigation was ongoing into why communication was lost immediately before and after the crash.