Collision off Gallipoli
The 162 meter long, 1703 dwt passenger ship Celestyal Crystal collided with the 182 meter long, 37,000 dwt tanker STI Pimlico at the entrance to the Dardanelles Straits off the Gallipoli Lighthouse. The Celestyal Crystal had departed from Mykonos, Greece to Istanbul with 853 passengers and 382 crew when it struck the STI Pimlico amidship on its port side. The tanker sustained significant damage with its cargo tanks punctured releasing naphtha into the sea. The STI Pimlico sustained water ingress and developed a 10 degree list. The Celestyal Crystal had severe structual damage to its bow. No reports of injuries on either vessel.
Authorities dispatched rescue boats and tugs to the scene. Booms were placed around the tanker to help contain the pollution. Tugs proceeded to start a cooling operation to help prevent a potential explosion. The crew on the STI Pimlico began transferring cargo from the damage port tanks over to the starboard.
The STI Pimlico was en route from Tuapse, Russia bound for Malta with 30,000 tonnes of naphtha. Some initial reports state the STI Pimlico had become disabled after a power loss before the collision occurred.
Related articles
- Cruise liner, tanker crash in Dardanelles Strait (inform.kz)
- Maltese-registered cruise ship collides with tanker bound for Malta (timesofmalta.com)
