“The people remaining onboard the Tzarevna are working to prepare the ship to withdraw by sea,” Nikolay Stefanov from the management of the vessel said in an interview with bTV. Welding work is underway and though it is not in perfect condition, the ship is capable of a short crossing. “The major repair works will take place if we can get to a ship repair yard,” Stefanov said further. It will be difficult for Tzarevna to sail with the current crew and hopes are that more crew members can be added at Kerch.

"11 sailors remain on board the Rojen in the port of Chernomorsk, with whom we are in daily contact. There are no hostilities in the region, the crew is not at risk," Alexander Kalchev, Executive Director of Navigation Maritime Bulgare said for the BNR. The ship has provisions, no member of the crew has asked to be evacuated.