Zira (Bulla) coast was reviewed as part of search and rescue operations

Baku. 21 December. REPORT.AZ/ According to order of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On some measures in connection with the accident occurred at the Oil Collecting point No.3 of the "Azneft" Production Union of SOCAR" dated December 16, 2016, pursuant to the plan of staff at the National Center for Naval Navigation of the State Maritime Administration including leading specialists of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Defense, State Border Service, State Maritime Administration, SOCAR and "Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company” CJSC, search and rescue operations continue in the sectors.

Report was informed at the search and rescue staff, taking into account the weather conditions, wind speed and direction, as well submarine and surface flows, decision was made to expand the search area. Search and rescue operations cover an area of 125 km and a width of 108 km.

Within the search and rescue operations, rescuers of Dog Training Service of Ministry of Emergency Situations have reviewed Zira (Bulla) coast of the Caspian Sea. In addition, divers of the Diving and Rescue Department of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic were involved in the rescue operations.

The search and rescue operations, intensively conducted by involving a total of 44 vessels and floating vehicle, 6 helicopters, as well as over 700 manpower of the Ministry of Defence, MES, SBS, SOCAR and "Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping" Company.

Currently, weather conditions, direction and speed of wind, underwater and surface currents analyzed in the accident area and a decision was made on expansion of search-and-rescue zone. As well as, the staff conducts regular exchange of information with all vessels and the National Centers for Vessel Traffic Management of the Caspian states, including the vessels under foreign flag.

At the same time, search operations are underway on the coastal areas by the MES and SBS manpower.