On 19 November 2015 operator of Coastal VTS of the North-Western Basin Branch has prevented a vessel from getting upon the bank in the St. Petersburg Coastal VTS Area.

On that day a bulker called Bunun Elegance was going from Ust-Luga Seaport west along the Bolshoy Korabelny (Big Ship) Fairway. On the starboard side a tanker called Ugale was going from Primorsk Seaport carrying oil products on board. The bulker and the tanker were following crossing courses and were coming dangerously close to each other.

To avoid collision the bulker changed its course to the right making way to the tanker. However, after the turn to the right an 8-metre deep bank arised on the way of the bulker with the draught of 11.7 metres.

Coastal VTS operator on duty V.I. Ershov urgently sent a danger alert to Bunun Elegance. The information let the bulker adjust its tanker passing maneuver in time.

Thanks to urgent and professional actions of V.I. Ershov the bulker was successfully prevented from getting upon the bank in precautionary area No. 350.