On the afternoon of July 13, the 70 meter long ro-ro passenger ferry Yavuz Naz (MMSI: 271001176) caught fire on the Sea of Marmara near Marmara Island, Turkey. The ferry was headed to Tekirdağ from Marmara Island with 207 passengers and crew along with 70 vehicles when a fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room. The crew was able to respond quickly and smoke billowed out of the engine vents onto the vehicle deck. The crew isolated the fire to the engine room filled with smoke. This action did contain the blaze from spreading to other parts of the ferry, but it also forced the main engine to be shutdown.
Authorities were alerted with multiple vessels responding. The KEGM dispatched 2 lifeboats while the port authorities dispatched 4 tugs to the scene. Two ferries also responded to the aid of the Yavuz Naz. While the KEGM lifeboats started cooling the hull, the Yavuz Naz was taken under tow by the ferry Öz Kaptan 1. The vessels proceeded to Marmara Island where passengers and vehicles were safely disembarked. There were no reports of injuries.
Reports state the fire was contained and extinguished. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
