The Sakhalin region’s Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that fourteen fishermen remained at sea on a fractured ice floe off the southern coast, with rescuers continuing the operation. The update was carried by RIA News.
The floe had broken away near the village of Starodubskoye. A rescue contingent, consisting of three rescuers, a boat, a snowmobile, and a dedicated search and rescue team, joined by personnel from the GIMS division in the Dolinsky district, coordinated the response. This deployment was part of the region’s ongoing efforts to recover mariners stranded by unstable ice conditions.
On February 14, a group of youths from Vladivostok found themselves adrift on a small ice floe in the waters near Sportivnaya Port. Images from the scene showed five school-aged individuals on the ice with several nearby floes surrounding them. Rescue crews dispatched inflatable boats to assist anyone still trapped. Ultimately, the youths managed to reach shore without outside aid, demonstrating calm decision-making and awareness of safety protocols in icy waters.
Earlier, two ships were involved in a collision near St. Petersburg, highlighting the broader spectrum of maritime hazards faced in the region, including collisions in busy waterways alongside the ongoing ice-related risks in the far east.
In these incidents, authorities emphasized the importance of rapid response, proper equipment, and trained personnel to address emergencies on ice and at sea. The Saхhalin operation underscores the challenges posed by shifting ice formations and severe weather, while the Vladivostok episode illustrates how young travelers can unexpectedly encounter hazardous conditions near major ports. Maritime safety agencies continue to monitor ice dynamics, deploy rescue assets as needed, and issue advisories to mariners and the public to prevent harm during winter sea travel.