Russian cargo ship grounded off Cornwall released by UK authorities
A Russian cargo ship that has been detained off the Cornish coast for nearly 18 months has been given permission to leave UK waters.
The Kuzma Minin, which is now known as Energy Annabelle, was seized by the authorities in December 2018 after it dramatically ran aground near Falmouth.
After it was towed to safety and tied to a buoy in a nearby estuary, the 16,000 tonne vessel was deemed unseaworthy by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
A month later, it was arrested through the Admiralty Court due to debts owed by the ship owner elsewhere.
It changed owners a year later, and was re-named Energy Annabelle, and now looks set to leave UK waters after being formally released from detention.
The MCA detained the vessel after a number of defects were discovered, including a broken compass, damaged lifeboats and expired safety equipment.
According to registered shipping movements, the vessel set sail at 4.30pm on Wednesday 6 May.
It is believed she will be towed out of the harbour and taken to Turkey for scrapping.