Local authorities have come to the aid of members of the crew of a Russian cargo ship stranded off a port in Heilongjiang province for almost a month.

Officers and soldiers of Tongjiang Frontier Inspection Station sent emergency supplies on Sunday and Monday to the ship, PT-686 from Khabarovsk, Russia after they were alerted that onboard supplies were running low.

The ship, carrying 3,000 tons of timber, was unable to dock and unload its cargo because of recent floods.

"If the ship returns to Khabarovsk, it will mean huge losses for its company. As it is, it costs 800 yuan ($130) a day near Tongjiang Port. It's the best choice for them," said Yang Shuang, an officer from Tongjiang Frontier Inspection Station.

"When we realized their situation, we immediately got in touch with people on the ship and gave them 24-hour assistance," Yang told China Daily.

"The have been here for 20 days and we are providing water and food."

According to the captain of the ship, they set off from Khabarovsk on Aug 9 and arrived at Tongjiang Port five days later. "But because of the floods, the ship couldn't dock to unload," he said.

Neither was it able to unload at Detong Port or other nearby ports. It finally dropped anchor off Tongjiang Port.

According to the exit and entry administration law, the frontier inspection station has to monitor the ship and the crew cannot come ashore.