Russian investigators have opened a criminal case after a self-elevating construction platform was wrecked by storm winds in the Baltic Sea off Svetlogorsk in Kaliningrad Oblast on Friday, October 9.
The Western Interregional Transport Investigation Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia said the case was opened under Part One of Article 263 of the Russian Criminal Code.
That provision covers violations of safety rules for the movement and operation of maritime transport that negligently cause grave injury or large damage, with large damage defined as damage exceeding RUB1 million (US$12,000).
"Under the influence of storm winds, the platform's wooden deck and all superstructures broke away, followed by the separation of the floating module and hydraulic supports," the directorate said.
The platform then drifted in coastal waters off Svetlogorsk before sinking and being cast ashore.
Investigators put the damage at more than RUB1 million and said they had inspected the scene and organised investigative actions to establish the circumstances of the incident.
The Kaliningrad Regional Government identified the platform as belonging to construction company Geoizol.
The transport prosecutor's office reported no casualties and gave adverse weather as the preliminary cause of the platform's displacement.
An initial visual inspection carried out while the platform was adrift found no environmental damage and no threat of pollution, according to the regional government. It said a detailed examination, including any necessary diving work, will be conducted once weather and sea conditions allowed.
The regional government added that the platform was not regional property and was under arrest as part of a criminal case.
The platform had been used in the construction of breakwaters near the Svetlogorsk promenade.