Russia seizes Norwegian yacht

A Norwegian yacht and its three crew were detained in the East Siberian Sea off the coast of Russia's Chukotka region, Russia's border guard service said yesterday.

The yacht had no permits from Russia's transport ministry or the northern sea route's administration and "did not go through the mandatory border and customs control in Murmansk port," the border guard spokesman said was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.

The yacht was brought to the Provideniya port in the Chukotka region, the official said, adding that the crew, all Norwegian citizens, were provided with necessary supplies and did not require medical aid.