Athens - A Russian auxiliary ship that issued distress calls during rough seas in the Aegean was being towed to a safe island harbour, reports said. Greek coastguard officials rushed to send rescue helicopters and a coast guard frigate to assist a Russian navy ship, with 88 crew on board, after it was caught in strong winds and engine problems in the Aegean Sea, approximately 15 nautical miles south of the Ikaria.
A Greek navy frigate was towing the Russian repair vessel, belonging to Russias Black Sea fleet, to a safe harbour on the island of Hios, just north of Ikaria.
Officials said the operation would take several hours due to the bad weather.
Coastguard officials said the ship was an auxiliary vessel that was carrying fuel and was drifting out of control due to engine problems. All the crew were reported safe.
The Ministry of Merchant Marine said the vessel had been heading to the base of the Black Sea fleet in Savastopol, Ukraine from Syria.
Heavy snowfall, gale force winds and freezing temperatures have hit Greece for the past two days, forcing ships to ports across the country, and paralyzing air and land transport.
