The MS Mikhail Lermontov was an ocean liner constructed in 1972 by V.E.B. Mathias-Thesen Werft in Wismar, East Germany. It was part of the "poet" ships series, which included vessels named after prominent writers such as Ivan Franko, Taras Shevchenko, Alexandr Pushkin, and Shota Rustaveli. Designed primarily for the Soviet Union's Baltic Shipping Company, the ship initially served as an ocean liner operating on the Leningrad–New York route. In 1982, the vessel was significantly upgraded and converted into a cruise ship to cater to Western clientele, with improved accommodations and onboard facilities. The ship measured a considerable size, with a deep draft and capacity to carry hundreds of passengers and crew. It had a robust construction typical of the era, with a steel hull and superstructure designed for transoceanic travel and leisure cruising. On 16 February 1986, the Mikhail Lermontov was cruising in New Zealand waters during a two-week voyage around New Zealand, carrying 372 passengers and a crew of 348. While navigating near Cape Jackson in the Marlborough Sounds, the ship struck rocks approximately 5.5 meters below the waterline on its port side at around 5:37 pm, traveling at 15 knots. The collision led to the rapid abandonment of the vessel, with passengers evacuated to nearby ships such as the LPG tanker Tarihiko and the ferry Arahura. Despite rescue efforts, the ship sank around 10:27 pm that evening, after listing further and disappearing beneath the surface. The sinking resulted in the death of one crew member, 33-year-old engineer Pavel Zagladimov, whose body was never recovered. The wreck now rests on its starboard side at depths reaching 38 meters and has become a notable site for recreational diving, attracting divers worldwide due to its relatively accessible and well-preserved structure. The vessel’s sinking prompted investigations into navigational decisions, notably criticizing the pilot’s choice to pass through a shallow passage, which contributed to the disaster's circumstances. The wreck remains a significant maritime site, both historically and as a diving attraction, highlighting the vessel’s place in maritime history.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.