Pionersk

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

PIONERSK wrecked on Ness of Trebister, starting to break up. Other Eastern block factory ships in background.
Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives.

On 31st October 1994 the steel hulled klondyker Pionersk, of Kaliningrad, Russia, Gross Tonnage 10035, 165.5 L x 21.33 B x 8.1 D metres, built 1963 Stocznia Gdanska im. Lenina, Gadansk, Poland, owners U.S.S.R. 'Zapryba', was wrecked on Trebister Ness, Gulberwick. All 155 crew were rescued thanks to the Lerwick Lifeboat, and the Shetland Coastguard rescue helicopter, but the vessel and her cargo of frozen fish were a total loss.
A lot of pollution was caused by the spillage of an estimated 600 tonnes of fuel oil from her ruptured tanks.
The wreck was later broken up by the heavy seas, and sank.
Coxwain of the Lerwick Lifeboat, Hewitt Clark received the RNLI Silver Medal and crewmen Peter Thomson, Ian Fraser, Ian Tulloch, Robert Wiseman and Richie Simpson received Vellums for their part in this rescue.

• More pictures from the wrecking and rescue operation can be seen here