On January 30, the 68 meter long, 3028 dwt cargo vessel Mustafa Kemal 1 ran aground near Ömeiş beach in Hatay, Turkey. The Mustafa Kemal 1 had been moored offshore waiting to load a cargo of iron. A strong storm in the area caused the vessel’s anchors to drag and the Mustafa Kemal 1 went ashore. The 10 crew on board were rescued by a nearby tugboat. No reports of injuries.
The storm prevented any attempts to refloat the Mustafa Kemal 1. Reports state authorities are waiting for improved conditions before a tug will refloat the Mustafa Kemal 1 and towed it to a nearby port. No reports of damage or pollution released.
On January 10, the 140 meter long, 6407 dwt tanker Glard 2 collided with the 138 gt fishing vessel Dursun Ali Coşkun in the Black Sea some 5 miles off the coast of Kilyos, Turkey. The Glard 2 was headed to Izmir from Rostov-on-Don in heavy fog when it struck the fishing vessel. The Dursun Ali Coşkun quickly filled with water and sank within minutes. Three of the 6 crew on board the Dursun Ali Coşkun were later rescued from the water. The survivors were taken ashore and transported to hospital for treatment.
The Turkish Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation to look for the remaining three men. The Coast Guard dispatched multiple lifeboats, patrol boats and helicopters to the scene. Nearby fishing boats assisted in the operation. By the next day, the Coast Guard had recovered the bodies of the missing men. Reports state the men may have been trapped in the cabin on the Dursun Ali Coşkun and were not able escape before the fishing vessel sank.
Photo: ensonhaber.com
Photo: turkishmaritime.com
Photo: internethaber.com
Photo: internethaber.com
Reports state the Glard 2 proceeded to an anchorage near the entrance to the Istanbul Strait. No reports of injuries or pollution released from the tanker. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
On December 25, 2019, the 90 meter long, 3700 dwt dry cargo vessel Nevado 35 ran aground off Tekirdağ, Turkey. The Nevado 35 had suffered rudder failure and veered toward the shoreline before running aground just 35 meters off the coast. The cargo vessel remained aground for 2 days after several failed attempts to refloat itself. The vessel then requested help with a tug dispatched to the scene. Weather prevented the Nevado 35 to be pulled free. For another week, the Nevado 35 remained stuck off the shoreline. A lighter vessel was requested and some 3000 tons of sunflower meal was offloaded from the Nevado 35. By January 5, the Nevado 35 had been refloated and moored off Tekirdağ to be surveyed. No reports of injuries to the 11 crew on board.
