Ukrainian-crewed cargo ship sank near Israel

13.12.2010 Dry cargo ship Adriatica sank near Israeli coast during the strong gale, reports website of Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

There were 11 Ukrainian crewmembers on board the Moldavian-flagged vessel. All of them escaped by liferafts. Afterwards, a passing-by Taiwanese ship picked up the sailors.

The distressed ship sent mayday alarm being somewhat 16 km off Israeli port Ashdod. Adriatica's shipmaster reported of an inflow in the ship's bow. Wave height in the accident site was about 8-10 meters.

As reported by newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli Navy's servicemen and a helicopter were dispatched to help Adriatica.