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Tag: Black Sea

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.

Mumtaz Amca

Mumtaz Amca

Mumtaz Amca
Photo: denizhaber.com

The 106 meter long, 5022 dwt cargo vessel Mumtaz Amca suffered an explosion in the Black Sea near the Sinop anchorage off Turkey. The Mumtaz Amca was headed to Izmit, Turkey from Tuapse, Russia with a cargo of coal. Conditions had been stormy and the cargo vessel had sought shelter off Sinop before continuing its journey.  While anchored, there was an explosion in the boiler room. One crewman died in the explosion while another was severely injured requiring him to be taken off the Mumtaz Amca and taken to a nearby hospital. The Mumtaz Amca sustained some damage, but no details have been disclosed.