On March 7, the 30 meter long tanker Izmail 2 caught fire in the Sea of Marmara off Hereke, Turkey. The three crew on board sent out a distress call and requested assistance. The Turkish authorities dispatched the patrol boat Kiyem 2 along with a tugboat to the scene. The Kiyem 2 was able to contain the fire assisted by the tugboat a few hours later. The vessels safely evacuated all three crewmen off the Izmail 2. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 229 meter long, 80443 dwt bulk carrier Wadi Safaga went aground in an anchorage in the Sea of Marmara near Istanbul, Turkey. The Wadi Safaga had departed from Taman, Russia with a cargo of 57,750 tons of wheat bound for Alexandria, Egypt. After the bulker passed through the Bosphorus, it was warned by authorities the vessel was passing too close to land. Ignoring these calls, the Wadi Safaga went hard aground. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. Authorities requested a tug to help refloat the Wadi Safaga. Reports state the vessel had attempted to refloat itself but was unsuccessful.
The 74 meter long general cargo vessel Gulfem Kalkavan ran aground in the Marmara Sea near Tuzla, Turkey. The Gulfem Kalkavan had been laid up offshore near the shipyards when the severe storm struck. The anchors dragged on the cargo vessel allowing it to run ashore. The Gulfem Kalkavan hull was punctured against the rocky shoreline allowing water to flood the aft section of the cargo ship. No reports of injuries.
