Cyprus registered boat rescued close to Klaipeda seaport in Lithuania

VILNIUS, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- A rescue operation was underway on Tuesday to help a Cyprus-registered bulk carrier which had run aground close to Lithuanian Klaipeda seaport.

"We are informed that works in order to strip the boat off the shoals have already started. Two tugboats are involved into the operation," Klaipeda State Seaport Authority said in a statement released on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Dutch company Smit is in charge of the rescue operation. The ship, 190 meters long, Ocean Crown was grounded on the shallow on Dec. 24, close to Lithuania's Baltic Sea Melnrage beach. According to preliminary data, engine failure was the initial reason due to which the ship drifted to the shore.

Certain shipping restrictions were implemented in Klaipeda seaport ever since Dec. 23 due to thundery wind and intense waves. The seaport returned to its daily regime on Tuesday morning.

According to the authorities, there were no signs of pollution or human incidences. One member of the Ocean Crown 20-person crew has been transferred to the shore due to his health issues.

"We can ensure that the body of the ship is hermetic at the meantime. We are keeping in touch with the crew and the captain on a regular basis and we are informed that there is no any threat to the environment," Arvydas Vaitkus, director of Klaipeda State Seaport, told reporters at a press conference Tuesday. Enditem