Russian Premier asks Russian Baltic and Far East sailors to stand by for putting to sea to save Magdalena Oldendorf

Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov has asked seamen on the Baltic Sea and in the Far East to stand by to put to sea to save the vessel Magdalena Oldendorf trapped in the Antarctic ice.

Opening Wednesday's meeting of the Maritime Collegium, the premier said that he had spoken about the ship in distress with Vyacheslav Martyanov, head of the Russian Antarctic expedition. According to the prime minister, the situation with the Magdalena Oldendorf "is grave enough, although not critical". At the same time he does not rule out that the situation may change for the worse, and considers it necessary to be ready to put to sea on a possible rescue mission.