Foreign ship carrying 20 tonnes of crab detained offshore Sakhalin
YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK. Nov 6 (Interfax) - MV Metris, a foreign vessel detained offshore Sakhalin with 20 tonnes of poached crab aboard last Sunday, is under investigation, the public relations group of the Federal Security Service's Sakhalin Coast Guard said on Thursday.
"MV Metris [flying the Togo flag, port of registry Lomo, manned by twelve Russian nationals] detected in the Russian exclusive economic zone southeast of Cape Aniva, southern Sakhalin, was detained after a four-hour chase and a warning shot," the report said.
The vessel did not respond to VHF radio requests and light and sound signals and tried to escape from the Coast Guard. "Risking the life and health of crewmembers and dangerously maneuvering, the vessel leaned on the border patrol ship which suffered damage," it noted.
The Metris was eventually stopped in the Japanese exclusive economic zone. "Border guards found approximately 20 tonnes of live opilio crab during the search of the ship's hold," the report said.
The Metris was brought to the Sakhalin port of Korsakov. An administrative inquiry was launched.