A Russian multi-hulled research and exploration trimaran met with disaster in the Pacific during a dramatic evacuation at sea. Reports from TASS on March 20 identified Evgeny Kovalevsky as the expedition leader, and details note that the cargo vessel that rescued the Russian voyagers briefly managed to bring the trimaran alongside before the drama intensified. The scene unfolded under brutal maritime conditions, with towering waves and gusts that tested every seam of the vessel and each decision of its crew.
The decision to evacuate came as the storm raged, forcing the crew to act quickly while the rescue ship Sounion stood by. The captain of Sounion offered assistance and managed to locate a drifting trimaran in treacherous waters. He carefully positioned his own ship and issued stern guidance to the Russians, insisting that the inflatable craft aboard must be abandoned to prevent further catastrophe as the main hull of the trimaran began to show signs of distress.
An earnest effort was made to salvage the situation. A tow line was attached in a last-ditch bid to keep the drifting craft connected to the rescue vessel, but the violent weather and poor visibility ultimately shattered that fragile link. Late at night, when fatigue and the sea’s violence peaked, the trimaran parted from the cargo ship, leaving the crew to cope with the sudden separation and the peril that followed.
Kovalevsky, together with his colleague Stanislav Berezkin, had already sought help on March 16 after a steering issue left their craft with a broken wheel. The crisis occurred during the passage between the Chilean mainland and Easter Island, a stretch of open ocean where help can arrive only after long delays and in variable wind patterns.
Direct assistance was provided by the Navy of the Republic of South America, which coordinated support for the stranded travelers and supported the salvage effort amid ongoing weather challenges. In the wake of the incident, the trimaran and its gear were lost, along with much of the crew’s essential equipment and personal items, underscoring the harsh reality of surviving at sea under such conditions.
Despite the setback, the Russians communicated plans to resume their circumnavigation in April, signaling resilience and continued commitment to their voyage. The episode serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a voyage can shift from exploration to emergency, demanding swift cooperation, robust seamanship, and steadfast resolve from all parties involved.
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