What Crew Members Say About Sanar-17

On September 3, 2021, the 'VF Tanker 7' experienced a grounding incident on the Volga-Caspian Sea Canal at the 158-kilometer marker while traveling from Astrakhan to Baku. Fortunately, initial reports indicate that there was no damage to the vessel's hull, and no leaks were detected. The grounding occurred amid a busy area where several cargo ships were anchored both to the south and north of the tanker, all awaiting passage to Astrakhan and other ports in the southern Caspian Sea. This situation has led to a noticeable restriction in marine traffic in the affected region. As of September 6, the 'VF Tanker 7' remained immobilized at coordinates 45°02'04N, 047°42'26E, which places it approximately 45.3 nautical miles from Olya.

On April 3, 2017, at 11 a.m., a major incident unfolded at the Terem Flotski Arsenal shipyard in Varna when the 'VF Tanker 7' experienced a significant explosion during ongoing welding operations inside a ballast tank. This violent explosion led to a fire outbreak, causing the vessel to sustain a leak and list dangerously to its starboard side. Authorities quickly responded to the emergency, with the Varna fire department and local police being notified promptly. The 'VF Tanker 7' had been undergoing maintenance and repair operations since April 2, and fortunately, there were no reports of injuries stemming from the incident. For those interested in more visual coverage, Russian news outlets have provided detailed reports including photos and videos available here: [Photo Report](https://www.maritime.bg/2017/04/03/45957/) and [Video Coverage](https://www.maritime.bg/2017/04/03/45950/).

In a maritime incident on December 24, 2016, at approximately 11 p.m., the 'VF Tanker 7' became grounded in the Kerch Strait, specifically in the vicinity of buoys 5-6. The vessel was en route southward from the Azov Sea to the Black Sea when the grounding occurred. Fortunately, there were no reported leaks, and the situation was promptly managed as the tanker was refloated with the assistance of a tugboat. Following the successful refloating operation, the 'VF Tanker 7' was securely moored at Port Kavkaz Anchorage for a thorough inspection and survey. It is also noteworthy that the maximum allowable draft for vessels transiting the strait has been decreased to 3.3 meters due to this incident.