24 February 2026
(PHOTO: USPA)
The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority has decided to name two measuring boats after the crew members of the Ingulsky vessel who died due to a mine in the mouth of the Bystrom on July 23, 2025.
This was announced by Mykola Kravchuk , Head of USPA.
According to him, one boat, which is already operating in all waters from the Danube to the ports of Greater Odesa, now bears the name of Ivan Koval. Another boat, which is planned to be put into operation in 2026, will bear the name of the then deceased operator of special devices Danylo Goldov.
As for the third deceased crew member, Natalia Ishchuk, USPA management has submitted documents to award her with a state award posthumously.
A sounding boat is a specialized small vessel equipped with hydrographic equipment (echo sounders, multibeam systems) designed to measure depths and study the bottom topography in shipping lanes, channels and port waters.
Late in the evening, on July 23, an emergency occurred with a dredger belonging to the Delta Pilot branch of the state-owned Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority: the vessel hit a mine. The explosion killed three USPA employees. Other crew members were hospitalized. The vessel was at the mouth of the Bystrye River to carry out scheduled work with 11 crew members. The Bystre estuary channel was closed to ship traffic for some time.
In September 2025, the Ingulsky dredger was successfully raised from the bottom of the canal. The vessel was half-submerged, but it was decided to restore it and use it again. The USPA noted that the vessel was operating within the existing export corridor in an area that is regularly checked for mines.
After the vessel was raised, it was sent for a technical inspection, the results of which will determine the scope and procedure for repair work.
According to Mykola Kravchuk, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 19 USPA employees have been killed in action or gone missing. Also, 231 civilians were injured or killed in Ukrainian ports while working.
Кирило Бойко