Storm conditions do not allow the Rubin tugboat to approach the eastern coast of Chukotka, where some ice-trapped beluga whales have been found a week ago, the Chukotka administration website said.
Now, the ship is riding out in a storm off the southern coast of Chukotka, in the vicinity of Cape Navarin where north-west winds gust up to 25 kph and sea swells crest as high as 6 meters.
More than 100 beluga whales were found on December 13 in Sinyavinskaya Strait, 15 km from the Chukchi village of Yanrakynnot. The mammals appeared to be separated 25 km from open water. The Governor of Chukotka Roman Kopin had asked the Federal Transport Ministry and Emergencies Ministry to send the sea-going tug Rubin to rescue the animals from the ice trap. Experts say the whales will be able to survive in the ice-filled harbor only until January.
More than 100 beluga whales were found on December 13 in Sinyavinskaya Strait, 15 km from the Chukchi village of Yanrakynnot. The mammals appeared to be separated 25 km from open water. The Governor of Chukotka Roman Kopin had asked the Federal Transport Ministry and Emergencies Ministry to send the sea-going tug Rubin to rescue the animals from the ice trap. Experts say the whales will be able to survive in the ice-filled harbor only until January.