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Pacific Fleet (PF) warship has completed search in two regions of the Sea of Okhotsk where Ametist's life rafts were found and begins to the trawler's last location area, reported RIA Novosti on May 31 referring to regional ministry of special programs.
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Rescuers to search lost trawler Ametist in its last location area
31.05.2011
The vessel belonging to Kamchatka Fishery Institute carried out commercial crabbing in the Sea of Okhotsk. As of the last radio contact on Feb 11, the vessel was expecting for bunkerage. There were 23 crewmembers on board Ametist.
"Search of the two zones which conducted since May 23 has turned out to be ineffective. At present, PF hydrographic vessel heads for the trawler's last positioning area to continue scanning of the seabed by sonar system and sounders", said the interviewee.
Active search was conducted during one month since Feb 12. About 200 sq km of the Sea of Okhotsk and adjacent Kamchatka coast were checked. During the search operation rescuers found two Ametist's life rafts and eight crab trap buoys. No crewmen were detected so far. After the active phase was over, all ships working in that part of the Sea of Okhotsk carry out underway search.
Relatives of the Ametist crewmembers still hope for seeing them alive; in March they started fund-raising campaign to continue search operation. Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Iliukhin addressed a letter to Konstantin Sidenko, Eastern Military District Commander asking to use a Pacific Fleet rescue ship in search operation. Iliukhin's request was met.
Regional administration and a ship-owning company have already paid RUR 325,000 material aid to families of Ametist sailors. If crewmembers are recognized dead, each of their family will receive RUR 550,000 insurance compensation.
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