At 11:10 AM today, a signal was received from the Bregovi Center - Varna to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center regarding fishing vessel VN 8112, with which radar contact was lost. The ship is located in the area of Maslen Nos, and there are three people on board, the press center of the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced. 

The announcement states that after receiving the signal, the National Search and Rescue Plan at sea was immediately activated, with all responsible institutions participating in the operation. A motor rescue boat of the Executive Agency “Maritime Administration” was sent to the scene of the incident, which is patrolling the area, but due to the sharp deterioration of the meteorological conditions at 12:50 PM, it stopped its activities and returned. A border police boat also joined the operation, which carried out a survey of the area, but due to the bad weather at 1:45 PM, it returned to its base in Sozopol.

The press center points out that the meteorological situation in the area is extremely unfavorable – with strong wind, significant waves and increased risk of icing, which at the moment does not allow the use of aircraft from the Air Force of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The department adds that the frigate “Drazki” from the composition of the Navy of the Republic of Bulgaria is surveying the water area, as the search and rescue operation continues with the full mobilization of available resources, and the coordination of the actions is carried out by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center.