Russian Barque Kruzenshtern Disables Icelandic Coast Guard Vessels

It turns out the Russian barque Kruzenshtern did more damage to Icelandic Coast Guard ships than was initially suspected.

Vísir reports that there are two holes in Þór, one of them just above the sealine on the starboard side. Further investigations need to be conducted to see if the hull itself was breached. Týr’s mast was broken, and holes were found on the port side. Neither ship is seaworthy until repairs are made.

Ásgrímur Lárus Ásgrímsson, the managing director of the operations department for the Icelandic Coast Guard, told reporters that they would be seeking an insurance payout from the Kruzenshtern’s insurance company.

As reported, the STS Kruzenshtern, which has been docked in Reykjavík Harbour for the past few days, was on its way out when it ran into trouble. Specifically, two Icelandic Coast Guard ships, Þór and Týr. Here you can watch a video of the collision take place.

The Kruzenshtern is a Russian ship, but it was built in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1926, hence the German name. In 1946, it was handed over to the Soviet Union as a part of war reparations. Today, the ship employs volunteer sailors hoping for the chance to learn how to be a crew member on an old school four-masted barque.