Two Seafarers Escape Russia aboard 84-Meter Vessel, Arrive in Bulgaria

“We started the main engine, weighed anchor, and fled Russia.” This is how the Master of the motor vessel *VIVA 962* (IMO 8878764) described his departure when the ship appeared off Cape Emine, Bulgaria, last week. The vessel was subsequently detained and ordered to the Burgas anchorage.

The man, identifying himself as Vladimir, explained that the ship—built in 1993—had encountered difficulties following Russia’s annexation of Crimea, an event he, as a Ukrainian national from Izmail, refuses to recognize.

“That is Ukraine!” he stated during an exclusive interview with Maritime.bg conducted from a boat within the waters of Burgas Bay.

According to his account, the vessel had previously been "under arrest in Sevastopol".

“There is no rule of law there,” Vladimir remarked, claiming that all efforts by the vessel’s Polish owner—operating through a Panama-registered company—to secure its release had failed.
“First one agent, then another, gave up. One night, at three in the morning, we simply escaped,” he recounted.

Vladimir further stated that *VIVA 962* was "intercepted by a Russian Border Guard cutter", but after the crew declared their intended voyage toward Port Kavkaz or Novorossiysk, they were permitted to proceed.

“We stayed in the area for a few more weeks. When we realized that no one would assist us and they clearly intended to seize the ship, we decided to run for Turkey,” he added.

When asked how the vessel managed to "depart Russian territorial waters" during ongoing military operations, Vladimir replied: “They caught us again—this time a large Navy patrol vessel. They acted outside the law. They gave us bread and water, issued a written warning, and let us go.”

He stated that *VIVA 962* initially set course for Turkey but later diverted toward Bulgaria because “we have many friends here.” The Master reported that they "weathered two storms" en route but completed the passage safely, despite the ship being in "extremely poor technical condition".

When asked whether they had appointed a local ship’s agent, he replied: “Yes, Georgi—I don’t remember the company name.”

Vladimir noted that the vessel’s Polish owner is expected to arrive in Bulgaria to arrange "repairs and drydocking" in Burgas. He also mentioned that his wife, a Ukrainian national, had already joined him in the southern Bulgarian port city.

“We will invite you aboard once everything is settled,” he said.

The Chief Engineer, also Ukrainian, appeared briefly on the bridge but declined to participate in the conversation.

Vladimir expressed gratitude to the "Russian Navy personnel who released them", as well as to the "Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)" of the State Enterprise *Port Infrastructure* in Bulgaria, the "Maritime Administration", and the "Border Police".

“They took us from the anchorage to Burgas. I bought a local SIM card, a phone, and provisions. We have everything we need,” he said.

The “Ghost Ship”

A scene worthy of a maritime thriller unfolded off the Bulgarian Black Sea coast when a small tanker seemingly "appeared out of nowhere", without valid ship’s papers and manned by only two seafarers. The incident put the Burgas authorities on high alert.

The *VIVA 962* (IMO 8878764), an 84-meter vessel built in 1993 for the carriage of edible oils, with a deadweight of 2,942 tons, dropped anchor near Cape Emine last week—without prior notice or port call declaration.

During initial radio contact with authorities, a person identifying himself as the Master reported that *VIVA 962* was "proceeding to Burgas for repairs". A rapid verification revealed the first anomaly: "no ship agent" had been appointed, and the "shipyard had not been notified nor was expecting the vessel".

An urgent joint inspection was conducted by officers of the Maritime Administration and Border Police at sea, off Cape Emine. Findings were alarming: the vessel had only two crew members onboard—the Master and Chief Engineer, both Ukrainian nationals.

The pair claimed to have "sailed from the vicinity of Port Kavkaz", completing a long and hazardous passage. How they managed remains unclear, but their sudden appearance raised serious safety, security, and compliance concerns.

A detailed documentary inspection revealed that all "statutory and class certificates had expired in 2024", rendering *VIVA 962* effectively a **“ghost ship”**—with no valid documentation to operate as a trading vessel.

“The only valid papers onboard were the international passports of the two Ukrainians. At least we know they are genuine seafarers—only two men managed to bring the ship safely to Emine.”, commented an official source who requested anonymity.

It was also established that the vessel had "minimal fuel" remaining. The "Port Captain" immediately ordered the vessel to proceed to the Burgas anchorage where it is currently "under detention pending investigation".

Given the gravity of the violations, the case has been escalated. The Prosecutor’s Office, Customs, and the State Agency for National Security (DANS) have all been notified. A comprehensive inquiry is underway to determine the purpose of the voyage, the vessel’s true ownership, and the motives behind this exceptionally risky passage.