A Russian cargo ship, the Sinegorsk, has been ordered to leave British waters after it was detected sailing through the Bristol Channel. The vessel was tracked entering UK waters on the evening of Tuesday, January 26, according to Marine Traffic data.
Authorities understand that the Sinegorsk entered the area to carry out necessary safety repairs. The ship remained anchored north of Minehead, Somerset, overnight before setting off again around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28.
The Department for Transport (DfT) issued a clear directive to the vessel instructing it to leave UK waters. In a statement to the UK Defence Journal, the DfT confirmed: “We issued a clear warning as a first step to SINEGORSK vessel to leave UK waters after it entered to undertake essential safety repairs. This directive has been complied with, and the vessel is leaving UK waters.”
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Data from Marine Traffic shows the Sinegorsk departed Arkhangelsk, Russia, earlier this month and, at the time of reporting, was navigating through the Celtic Sea north of Cornwall.
The Sinegorsk, a general cargo ship registered under the Russian flag, measures approximately 138 meters in length and 21 meters in width.