On January 2, the 201.5 meter long, 35848 dwt container ship MSC Gianna III (IMO: 9152856) became disabled in the Çanakkale Strait off Kumkale, Turkey. The MSC Gianna III departed from Italy bound for Tekirdağ when it suffered machinery failure and went adrift.
Turkish authorities were alerted and dispatched the 496 gt tugboat Kurtarma 17 (IMO: 9942990) and 235 dwt tugboat Kurtarma 18 (IMO: 9974890) to assist. The tugs took the container ship under tow and proceeded to the Karanlık Liman Anchorage. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On December 30, the 141 meter long, 7786 dwt tanker Kalbajar (IMO: 9821471) collided wit the 115 meter long, 6239 dwt tanker Alatepe (IMO: 9104873) in the Sea of Marmara at the Küçükçekmece anchorage off Florya, Turkey. Both tankers were anchored close to shore when strong winds caused the anchor of the Kalbajar to drag. The Kalbajar drifted towards the Alatepe until the two vessels collided. While the collision did not result in damage or any pollution released, the Kalbajar’s anchor chain became tangled in the propeller of the Alatepe.
Authorities were alerted who dispatched tugboats and a response team to the scene. The tugs stood by as the Kalbajar was able to restart the vessel’s engine, untangle the anchor chain and proceeded under its own power to deeper water where it drop anchor in a safer location. Unfortunately, the Alatepe would run aground during the incident. The following day divers conducted an underwater inspection of the hull and begin operations to refloat the tanker.
Photo: denizgundem.com
Authorities report the Kalbajar was in ballast while the Alatepe had some 2,500 tons of chemicals on board. There were no reports of injuries to the 14 crew on the Kalbajar and no injuries to the 17 on the Alatepe.
On December 25, the 110 meter long, 5444 dwt cargo vessel Enif (IMO: 8900684) became disabled in the Çanakkale Strait near Gocuk Burnu, Turkey. The Enif was headed to Yalova from İskenderun when it suffered machine failure and going adrift. The cargo vessel contacted authorities who dispatched tugs to assist. The Enif was taken under tow through the straits to an anchorage in the Sea of Marmara. Reports state the Enif was able to proceed the following day to Yalova. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
