JAMSTEC

Survey of the sunken tanker "NAKHODKA"
(conducted on 28th of January)

28th, Jan, 1997
Science and Technology Agency , JAPAN
Japan Marine Science and Technology Center

  • The Deep-Tow Surveying Instruments tendered by the support mother shipˇˇ"NAT SUSHIMA" (1,553 Gross Tonnage) of Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (President: Mitsugu Ishizuka) have found a ship and video-taped the body. (Whether this is "NAKHODKA" is unknown)ˇˇ"NATSUSHIMA" had started surv eying at the area, where the tanker was sunk,ˇˇsince 25th of January.

  • Based on the findings yesterday, the survey started at 7:07 AM on 28th of January using Deep-Tow installed sonar system (DTS) in order to find the size and the direction of the ship as a whole. The collected data had been analyzed on the ship through today afternoon then the followings were found. (refer to the video image attached)

    *The size of the ship is about 100-150m long and 20-30m high. The width is unknown. (from the video image, the ship seems to be inclined to the side)
    *The ship is lying on the sea floor longitudinally to the NorthEast-SouthWest ˇˇdirection.
    The principal particulars of "NAKHODKA" (from Lloyd's Register) Length Over All 177m, Breadth 22m, Depth12m, Gross Tonnage 13,700 ton
  • In the afternoon today, "NATSUSHIMA" stopped surveying due to the bad sea condition. She has left the site and is now under way to Maizuru Port (Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture).
    Schedule hereafter shall be decided after the data collected during the 4 days from 25th to 28th of January have been analyzed thoroughly together with the sea condition taken into account.

    For more information:

    Takahashi or Sugiyama
    Public Relations Office
    Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
    phone: 0468-67-5502
    Soner picture of the sunken ship recorded by Deep-Tow installed sonar system (DTS)
    The dark part has stronger acoustic reflection (meaning some object exists). The white part is shadow area (of higher object) where acoustic waves do not reach. Observation of this image shows a part of ship with 100-150m long and 20-30m high (width is unknown) is lying on the sea floor longitudinaly to the NorthEast-SouthWest direction.
    Briefing of the operations for investigating the sunken tanker "NAKHODKA"
    (extra report)
    Weather Overcast Sky
    Wind Direction W
    Wind Force 3 (3.4-5.5 m/s)
    Wave Scale 2 (0.1-0.5 m)
    Swell 1 (Wave Height: below 2 m)
    Area Investigated between latitude 37ˇ¬14'-15' N and longitude 134ˇ¬24'-26' E
    Time Started (Operation started) 7:07 (launched), 8:17 (tow started)
    Time Ended (Operation ended) 13:54 (operation ended)
    Special Mentions
    *Conducted survey for the sunken tanker by the sonar. The depth of the tow was 2,423 m.
    *At 1:54 PM the operation stopped due to the bad sea condition. Decided to make a return trip to Maizuru Port.

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