ATHENS, Greece, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- The Greek Mercantile Marine Ministry said Monday a vessel stranded in the Aegean Sea is from the Russian Navy and has 88 crew members on board.
"It has been confirmed that it is a Russian Navy vessel. It has 88 people on board," the spokesman said, adding that a relief operation was also launched Monday, RIA Novosti reported.
He also added that no one on board the vessel was reported injured and the SOS signal was likely caused by a mechanical failure.
The boat is currently drifting off the coast of Ikaria.
"The vessel needs to be towed away to the nearest port to fix a (possible) technical failure. We will need a large towboat for this," the spokesman said, adding that currently two Super Puma helicopters and a military C-130 aircraft were working at the scene and a Greek Navy frigate was on its way.
Capt. First Rank Igor Dygalo, a spokesman for the Russian Navy, said that the vessel in distress was a weaponless floating repair workshop.
