On December 31, the 55 meter long, 882 dwt cargo vessel Yakup Aga ran aground in the Marmara Sea near Tuzla, Turkey. As with the Guneyin, the Yakup Aga had been at anchor when rough weather struck the area. Strong winds caused the cargo ship’s anchor to drag and the vessel drifted ashore. Tugs were dispatched and were able to refloat the Yakup Aga and towed the cargo vessel to Kartal. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
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.
The 101 meter long, 6275 dwt chemical tanker Tibil suffered an explosion while in the Marmara Sea off Tuzia, Turkey. The vessel was travelling to Tuzia in ballast when there was an explosion in one of the tanks. Four crewmen injured and one perished in the explosion. The vessel suffered minor water ingress and developed a list. All the crew evacuated, but two crew later returned to take part in salvage operations. The vessel was reported to be later towed to a shipyard in Tuzia.
