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Tag: Black Sea

Black Sea Collision

Black Sea Collision

Glard 2
Photo: ensonhaber.com

On January 10, the 140 meter long, 6407 dwt tanker Glard 2 collided with the 138 gt fishing vessel Dursun Ali Coşkun in the Black Sea some 5 miles off the coast of Kilyos, Turkey. The Glard 2 was headed to Izmir from Rostov-on-Don in heavy fog when it struck the fishing vessel. The Dursun Ali Coşkun quickly filled with water and sank within minutes. Three of the 6 crew on board the Dursun Ali Coşkun were later rescued from the water. The survivors were taken ashore and transported to hospital for treatment.

The Turkish Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation to look for the remaining three men.  The Coast Guard dispatched multiple lifeboats, patrol boats and helicopters to the scene. Nearby fishing boats assisted in the operation.  By the next day, the Coast Guard had recovered the bodies of the missing men. Reports state the men may have been trapped in the cabin on the Dursun Ali Coşkun and were not able escape before the fishing vessel sank.

Reports state the Glard 2 proceeded to an anchorage near the entrance to the Istanbul Strait.  No reports of injuries or pollution released from the tanker. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Kerch Strait Explosion

Kerch Strait Explosion

Kandy

On January 21, the 98 meter long, 4811 dwt LPG tanker Maestro and the 65 meter long, 1038 dwt tanker Kandy caught fire in the Black Sea near the Kerch Strait. The two vessels were involved transferring fuel when there was a sudden explosion on deck.  Both the Maestro and Kandy were engulfed in flames killing some crew and others overboard. Black smoke spilled out alerting authorities.

Kandy

Authorities recovered 11 bodies from the sea. The Kandy had a crew of 17 and the Maestro had 14 crew.  Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. No further details reported.

Volgo-Balt 214

Volgo-Balt 214

On January 7, the 113 meter long cargo vessel Volgo-Balt 214 broke-in-two and sank in the Black Sea off Samsun, Turkey.  The Volgo-Balt 214 was loaded with 3300 tons of coal from Azov bound for Samsun in heavy seas when a large wave smashed against the vessel causing a hull fracture.  The bow of the Volgo-Balt 214 broke away and both sections of the cargo vessel flooding.  Seven of the 13 crew were able to escape into the life rafts.

The Turkish Coast Guard dispatched four helicopters and several vessels to conduct a search and rescue operation.  Authorities rescued the 7 crew from the life rafts and continued search the remaining crew.  The following day authorities were able to recover the bodies of the missing crewmen.  Reports state the Volgo-Balt 214 had several reported deficiencies during an inspection in 2017 including hull corrosion and cracking.  Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.