MV Ruby

[OldTinHat]

I was told about MV Ruby yesterday. I'd not heard anything about it before.

A cargo ship, flying under the Maltese flag, carrying 20,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate from Russia, damaged, is bobbing about 15 miles off the Kent coast.

There was an explosion in, I think, Beirut, in 2020 (??) of ammonium nitrate but seven times less than this damaged vessel is carrying.

I've been trying to find out what's happening with it now, but the news seems very quiet about it.

Surely, this is a real threat? I'm not one to scare monger (ha, but I think I am with this!), but what's going on?

Maybe it's reached its final destination of Malta now, but I can't find any up to date news apart from this on the Express websitewww.express.co.uk/news/uk/1955042/russian-floating-bomb-uk-waters-kent

#Flying the Maltese flag, not flying under it - it's a ship, not a plane! 😆 Bah, you know what I'm trying to say!

Flying under is correct too.

Interesting. And seems very very suss frankly.

Thanks @riversflows 👍 Ships, flags, aaargh!

@MrsTerryPratchett Isn't it? I've not seen anything about this on the usual TV news bulletins, yet there is a potential Russian bomb sitting off our coast (maybe dramatic, maybe not).

It does seem like something the Russians would manufacture.

It's current position is 18.7N, 73.0E. Mumbai. Interesting theory though!

Ah no wait, that one is Indian flagged. No other vessels appear under that name though... 🤔

This sort of ship is WAY more common than you might think.

If you think for a second there is no military interest in it....

And it is indeed bobbing about the Kent coast.

@OldTinHat do you mean that explosion that looked like dry ice?

Ah just found it. Just called "Ruby". It is still off Kent, but @ButtSurgery beat me to it!

Would an explosion really travel 15 miles though? Unlikely?

No, it wouldn't take out the coastline but you might hear it go bang.

For example:

BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/x2iutcqf1g/beirut-blast
Beirut blast: The inferno and the mystery ship

I thought I'd replied on my post yesterday. The buffer icon went on for ages so I left it be. Clearly didn't post!

So, yes, that is the Beirut explosion I referred to. This ship is carrying seven times more.

Hang on whilst I pop back and check the location today... (should have done that before).

So, she's still bobbing off the Kent coast...

It's from Russia, she's damaged and no one will let her berth? Hmmm...

What is the damage? How did it happen?

Reports say it has a cracked hull and damage to its propeller and rudder due to grounding in Norwegian territorial waters whilst seeking shelter from a storm. Three countries refused to allow it into port due to concerns over its cargo. It was inspected and given temporary repairs in Norway, but was then ordered to leave. The UK authorities are helping to find a safe solution, but the media speculation has meant that UK ports are reticent to allow it in. It has been deemed seaworthy and HM Coastguard say it is secure and safe. If it was allowed into port, it would transfer its cargo to another vessel and then undergo a full repair.

As @ButtSurgery says, if it were to explode in its current location, it would not cause any damage on the mainland.

It's asked to be allowed to dock though. Any country in its right mind who is aligned with Ukraine would be mad to let it into port, surely!