February 16, 1986: The Russian liner Mikhail Lermontov hit an underwater rock in Cook Strait near Port Gore, New Zealand. The ship was built in 1972 and was the first Russian ship to offer a commercial service to the USA since 1948. However the service lasted only a few years.

On this cruise the Larmontov had departed Wellington in rough seas under the guide of a pilot Just out of Port Gore she hit the rock. The ship took on a list rather quickly and the captain made an attempt to beach the ship.

However this did not work and the ship drifted out to sea and sank. Even though there were a high number of people on board there was only one fatality, a crewman who was missing and presumed dead.