A cyclone from the Sea of Japan hit the southern part of the island yesterday and caused a strong storm in the Tatar Strait, which separates the island from continental Russia. In Kholmsk, where the Cristoforo Colombo ran aground on September 8, there were strong winds (35m/s) and waves of up to six meters.
A spokesman for the department said experts had repaired the damaged part of the dam and were continuing construction around the ship. The dam will become a makeshift dock.
According to the experts' calculations, the 400-meter high dam around the ship made from soil from the sea floor will act as a dock. Inside the dock, water will be 75cm higher than sea level and the Cristoforo Colombo will be able to sail about the rocks she hit.
Five ships will be involved in pulling the Cristoforo Colombo.
The ship was grounded in Kholmsk by typhoon Songda on September 8. Her fuel tanks and the engine room were damaged and about 200 metric tons of fuel oil and diesel fuel leaked into the sea and on the shore. A criminal case has been launched because of the environmental pollution. The captain of the ship, Belgian Nicolas Verbraken, is out on $100,000 bail but still in Sakhalin.
