On the morning of August 8, the 100 meter long, 8501 dwt cargo vessel Sward (IMO: 9174244) became disabled in the Istanbul strait near the breakwater off Haydarpaşa, Turkey. The Sward was headed for Yemen from Zonguldak when it suffered a mechanical breakdown and went adrift. The vessel contacted authorities with KEGM dispatching two tugs to the scene. The tugs Kurtarma 5 (IMO: 9463164) and Kurtarma 7 (IMO: 9598608) which took the Sward under tow. The vessels proceeded to the Ahırkapı Anchorage where the cargo vessel safely moored. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the afternoon of July 30, the 88 meter long, 3632 dwt cargo vessel Wilson Gdynia (IMO: 9056064) allided on the Elbe River at Brunsbüttel, Germany. The Wilson Gdynia was approaching the locks to the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel when it struck the jetty to the entrance to the small locks. Details to the extent of damage was not disclosed. The Wilson Gdynia was reported detained by the water police in Brunsbüttel while the incident is being investigated. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On the night of July 24, the 105 meter long, 5813 dwt cargo vessel MN Kostas (IMO: 9103489) ran aground in the Mediterranean Sea off the northeastern tip of Crete, Greece. The MN Kostas departed from Sitia, Crete bound for Chekka, Lebanon, with a cargo of plaster when it ran aground on a reef some 6 nautical miles off Sitia. The cargo vessel sustained hull damage and water ingress.
The Greek Coast Guard was alerted and dispatched 3 patrol boats to the scene. Assisted by nearby fishing and private vessels , all 14 crew members were safely evacuated and taken to Sitia. No reports of injuries. Four tugboats were dispatched from Heraklion to start salvage operations. Divers inspected the MN Kostas hull for damage. Authorities are monitoring the area for any signs of pollution released.
Reports state the Sitia Port Authority has launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have arrested the master and the acting bridge officer under the Greek Penal Code for causing a shipwreck. The MS Kostas had prior legal issues a few months prior. The owners of the cargo vessel were cited for only paying the crew half their wages over the last several months.
