A massive Russian cargo ship has run aground "dangerously close" to a beach in Cornwall as the area was pounded by large waves, strong winds and heavy rain.
The 16,000-tonne ship, called the Kuzma Minin, became stranded off Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth in rough weather conditions in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has launched a rescue mission and plans to refloat the bulk carrier, which has 18 Russian crew and no cargo on board, after it dragged its anchor and ran aground in darkness.
A pilot was airlifted on board to assist the Russian crew after a pilot boat pulled up alongside the vessel. Waves crashed over its deck as locals watched from the shore, CornwallLive reported.
The ship, which had set off from Terneuzen – a port in the Netherlands where it had reportedly been held since May due to the shipping company’s alleged debts – has a list of about five degrees.
Conditions on board were said to be so dire that locals in Terneuzen launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy food, water, toothpaste, razors and other supplies for the Russian sailors.
Tugs will be attached to the stricken ship to help refloat it when the tide rises in Falmouth. The MCA hopes to refloat the vessel at 5pm.
There were no reports of any leaks or pollution.
An HM Coastguard spokeswoman said in a statement: "HM Coastguard is currently co-ordinating assistance to a 180-metre bulk carrier which dragged her anchor and grounded on the western side of the port entrance between Swanpool and Gyllyngvase beaches at around 5.40am.
"The vessel has 18 Russian crew on board. There is no cargo on board. She currently has a list of five degrees but there is no report of any pollution.
"Tugs are on their way to the vessel and a lifeboat is standing by at the scene. The Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team have cordoned off an area around the ship.
"Tugs will be attached to the vessel and as the tide rises, the plan is to re-float the vessel."
An eyewitness tweeted: "Grounded cargo ship dangerously close to beach. Help is close. Stay safe everyone."
Another eyewitness added: "A 16,000 ton Russian cargo ship has washed up on Gyllyngvase beach, Falmouth.
"Thinking of everybody on the tugs and lifeboat this morning – terrible conditions for a rescue mission."
Gyllyngvase Beach – a Blue Flag beach – is considered one of the most popular beaches in Cornwall thanks to its wide arc of golden sand.
The Kuzma Minin, based within the Arctic Circle, is named after a Russian merchant who became a national hero when he helped to fend off a Polish invasion in 1612.
The vessel was completed in February 1980 and modernised in 2004, and measures just under 600ft in length and 75ft in width.
It delivers cargo around Europe, mainly to northern ports, and has a top speed of 10.5 knots (12mph) with one main engine and four auxiliary engines.
The Kuzma Minin is operated by the Murmansk Shipping Company and is registered in Murmansk, a port city in far north-western Russia.
The vessel had been held in the Netherlands for seven months due to the company’s alleged debts.
The stranded crew members’ plight attracted the attention of locals, who launched a crowdfunding campaign to provide food, water and other supplies, including toothpaste and razors, amid the dire situation on board.
Femke Key, one of the organizers of the crowdfunding campaign, told the Moscow Times in September: “Many of the locals here have a bond with the sea, some worked on boats themselves or are avid sailors.
"They felt some sort of connection with the poor sailors.”
Ms Key said the Russian sailors were initially hesitant to accept the aid, but they eventually gave in.
She added: “You can see they are proud people and felt ashamed by this situation. But they literally had no food or water left."
Gijs Mol, of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), said after inspecting the Kuzma Minin that the ship’s supplies had reached "critical levels" before locals stepped in to help.
He added: “All they ate for months was potato soup."
But the Murmansk Shipping Company said at the time that the Kuzma Minin "was equipped with all the necessities" and accused the ITF of trying to smear the Russian firm’s reputation.
In October, the ITF told Russia’s Tass news agency that the ship was seized because the Murmansk Shipping Company had debts of more than £1.9m, while highlighting the sailors’ plight.
The company denied the claims, saying the report contained "inaccurate information".
The single-deck ship ran aground as Cornwall and other parts of the UK were being battered by heavy rain and strong winds.
It was unclear if severe weather played a role in the Falmouth incident.
Falmouth was being hit by 55mph gales and heavy rain around the time the ship ran aground, according to the Met Office’s website.
Forecasters have issued yellow ‘danger to life’ warnings for heavy rain for Cornwall and other areas in southern England, and in South Wales.
Yellow warnings for rain and 65mph gales were issued for all of Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, a number of lorries tipped over on board a P&O ferry arriving in Cairnryan in dreadful weather conditions.
Mirror Online has contacted Murmansk Shipping Company for comment.
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