A STRANDED Russian cargo ship is being towed to Southampton Harbour.

The Mekhanik Yartsev was anchored in the Solent on Tuesday while a pilot vessel assessed its stability and cargo, and all 13 crew on board were reported to be safe and well.

And now the Maritime and Coastguard Agency says the ship is being towed back to harbour.

A statement says: "Preparations are well underway to raise the anchors of the Russian vessel Mekhanik Yartsev.

"During its short passage to Southampton Harbour the vessel will be accompanied by a tug, pilot vessel, a patrol vessel and the RNLI Yarmouth all-weather lifeboat."



Earlier in the week navigational safety broadcasts were being issued every 30 minutes to warn shipping in the area and a tug and lifeboat were standing by.

A radio broadcast directed at the ship's crew said: "Your vessel is significantly listing and may need help.

"We have assessed the actions you have taken so far to recover from your current situation and have been unable to rectify the situation."

The broadcast explained there were powers under UK law to order the vessel to accept a tug or other assistance until repairs were made and the ship could continue without support.

"If you fail to make adequate arrangements for assistance, they will be made for you and the cost of a tug and any other additional support will be recovered from your owners," it said.

"If we later order you to take a tug or accept other assistance using the powers of intervention and direction and you do not comply you are committing a criminal offence under the United Kingdom law."

The Coastguard later said plans were under way to take the ship to a berth in Southampton Harbour.

"The vessel has its own power and as a precautionary measure it will be assisted by a pilot vessel, two tugs and escorted by an RNLI all-weather lifeboat until it's safely alongside," a statement said.

"Once berthed a surveyor will inspect the vessel's stability and cargo."