On February 3, the 65 meter long,1241 dwt cargo vessel Tallas ran aground off Zeytinburnu, Turkey. The Tallas was unmanned and at anchored in the Marmara Sea when a storm caused its anchor to drag. Strong winds pushed the Tallas ashore. No injuries and no pollution released. Reports state the vessel had no fuel on board at the time.
The 79 meter long, 1613 dwt cargo vessel Andre Michel 1 became disabled on the Bosphorus near Garipçe, Turkey. The Andre Michel 1 was headed to Sfax, Tunisia from Kherson, Ukraine when it suffered engine failure just under the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge. The crew was unable to restart the engine and requested assistance. A tug was dispatched and took the Andre Michel 1 under tow. The vessels proceeded to an anchorage off Buyukdere. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The 115 meter long, 3159 dwt cargo vessel Bereket sank in the Marmara Sea near Istanbul, Turkey. The Bereket was laid up for winter at the Ahirkapi Anchorage when it sustained a leak near the engine room and water ingress. With no one on board at the time, the flooding continued until the vessel sank by the stern.
Photo: denizhaber.com.tr
Local authorities were alerted and dispatched a team to monitor the situation. An oil sheen was spotted around the hull and pollution control efforts were started. An investigation has been started into the incident. Reports state the vessel had been unmanned and received no maintenance for several months.