Russian spy ship reported off SC coast operating in unsafe manner WSOC TV

SOUTH CAROLINA — The U.S. Coast Guard is alerting boaters to use caution along the Georgia and Carolina coast because of “erratic” behavior from a Russian Navy intelligence-gathering ship, according to our news partner WCIV.

The Coast Guard Sector Charleston safety bulletin said the Russian ship, the RFN Viktor Leonov, has been “operating in an unsafe manner" as it makes its way north from Florida.

USCG in Jacksonville, Fla. initially reported the Leonov over the weekend.

Authorities said the ship and crew were “not energizing running lights while in reduced visibility conditions, not responding to hails by commercial vessels attempting to coordinate safe passage and other erratic movements.”

Russian ship spotted off coast Russian ship spotted off coast

Coast Guard officials said boaters should use extreme caution when near the ship and are encouraged to report any suspicious or unsafe situations.

According to CNN, the Russian ship is frequently along the East Coast conducting surveillance.

The U.S. Navy has several locations along the East Coast as well, including Kings Bay, Georgia, which houses nuclear-class submarines.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

© 2019 Cox Media Group

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uL%2FOnKuvZpOkunC6xLCqaKSfmK6te9GuqqyhkaN6tLzYZqqhoaBiv6a8zqurnpxdpLOnedKcZJynkajBbrvPnqmarJmjtG7BzayYn51doq6vusSrZmuQfGuhkoCVjI1%2Fgmd5oJiVloFra5CFgqeOew%3D%3D