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Tag: Black Sea

Leonardo

Leonardo

Leonardo
Photo: denizhaber.com.tr

On August 27, the 114 meter long, 3348 dwt bulk carrier Leonardo broke-in-two and sank on the Black Sea off Kilyos, Turkey. The Leonardo was en route to Istanbul to undergo repairs at the Tuzla shipyard.  The vessel was waiting at anchor off Kilyos when it suffered a structural failure. A large crack developed amidships and the vessel began to hog. The Leonardo sent out a distress call and the 11 crew on board were rescued by the Coast Security General Directorate and the Coast Guard. No reports of injuries.

The crack increased in size and eventually the vessel broke-in-two. The forward section of the Leonardo drifted away from the stern, filled with water after several hours and eventually sank. The stern section was taken under tow and taken to the shoreline where it was driven aground in order to avoid it from sinking. Conditions prevented from emptying the fuel tanks on board immediately.  It would take a few additional days before salvage operations could reach the tanks and begin removal of the fuel.

Geroi Arsenala

Geroi Arsenala

The 114 meter long 2457 dwt cargo vessel Geroi Arsenala broke-in-two and sank south of the Kerch Strait some 50 kilometers from Anapa, Russia. The Geroi Arsenala had departed from Rostov-on-Don with a cargo of grain bound for Turkey. There was a storm in the area with strong winds and , but not severe to keep the cargo vessel in port. As the Geroi Arsenala passed the Kersch Starit the vessel suffered structural failure after struck by a five meter wave.

The vessel was able to send out a distress call  alerting authorities the Geroi Arsenala was breaking up and sinking.  The vessel remained afloat long enough for some of the 12 crew to don lifejackets and launch the ship’s lifeboat. Authorities launched a search and rescue operation deploying Russian Coast Guard and Navy vessels along with helicopters to the scene. A rescue helicopter reported seeing five crewmen in the water, but conditions prevented hoisting them to safety. One crewman, a mechanic, was later pulled from the water suffering from severe hypothermia. Additional reports state at least two bodies were recovered. Reports state the water temperature was no more than 10 degrees above freezing.

Built in 1980, the Geroi Arsenala now rests some 14 kilometers off the Kerch Strait in 100 meters of water. Authorities are concern that the cargo vessel had some 30 tons of fuel oil on board at the time of the sinking and could cause environmental damage.

Several reports suspect the Geroi Arsenala had not been sufficiently maintained for it’s advance age. Others have suggested that improper loading of cargo could have lead to the structural failure. Russian authorities have not yet stated the cause of the sinking, but have launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

Tokay Akar

Tokay Akar

Tokay Akar
Photo: denizgazete.com

On August 14, the 90 meter long, 4040 dwt cargo vessel Tokay Akar ran aground along the breakwater at Samsun, Turkey. The Tokay Akar had been at anchor at the Samsun anchorage when a storm with strong winds caused the vessel’s anchor to drag. The unmanned Tokay Akar drifted until it ran up on to the breakwater. The cargo vessel sustained hull damage to ballast tanks and suffered water ingress. No pollution reported. Reports state the Tokay Akar had been left at anchor after a bankruptcy and the fuel had been removed. Local authorities will arrange salvage when weather permits.