Hundreds of Pelagic cormorants died in Sakhalin oil slick

The cost of the damage from holed vessel Nadezhda was put at $3.9 million - and rising. Despite a valiant effort by volunteers, only a handful of cormorants were saved and hundreds perished after being covered in oil in the 28 November disaster, it was revealed. 

A 'bird hospital' was set up by Sakhalin Energy, operator of Sakhalin-2, after the ecological disaster when vessel Nadezhda spilled its cargo into the sea. There were hopes that nine birds among dozens found alive by rescuers might survive. 

In a race against time, workers are constructing a causeway to reach the tanker to enable more oil to be emptied from the vessel. Another 40 metres were still be be built. The tanker has been surrounded by booms to prevent further leaks. 

On Saturday, Sakhalin governor Oleg Kozhemyzko inspected emergency works, and said the ship's owner would be liable for the bulk of the almost $4 million cost, which does not include constructing the causeway.