Storms Close Bosporus and Drive Tanker Ashore in Istanbul
The powerful storms that have been impacting the Black Sea region spread to the south hitting Istanbul and the surrounding areas. Shipping in the region was impacted with the governor’s office ordering a suspension. A small tanker anchored offshore was also driven on to the rocks with the fire department, Coast Guard, and coastal security agency working to rescue the crew.
The storm brought with it strong southwest winds and torrential downpours of rain. Flooding was reported across the region with extensive damage to coastal areas and small boats.
The Governor of Istanbul ordered all ferry service suspended on Tuesday, November 28, and it remained suspended on Wednesday morning. Commuters that normally travel around the city and between Europe and Asia on ferries were forced to seek ground transportation to get to work. Traffic on the Bosphorus was also suspended and due to resume as of 16:00 on Wednesday.
????TÜRK?YE KARA KI?A TESL?M
— Orhun Haber (@OrhunnHaber) November 29, 2023
???çinde 600 ton petrol bulunan 79 metre uzunlu?undaki Kadriye Ana isimli gemi, gece 01:00’de #?stanbul #Zeytinburnu Sahili'nde karaya oturdu.
??600 ton petrol yüklü tankerdeki 11 ki?ilik mürettebat, ekiplerin çal??malar? sonucu kurtar?ld?. pic.twitter.com/RlQgdRngwJ
During the height of the storm overnight on Tuesday, the captain of the tanker Kadriye Ana was heard on the radio pleading for assistance. The 2,400 dwt tanker had been riding anchor off Istanbul for the past few days. It began dragging its anchor during the storm with the captain pleading that they were going to be driven onto the shoreline.
“We are falling apart,” the media reports was the captain’s last transmission. The vessel, which was loaded with 600 tons of diesel fuel, suffered hull damage with reports saying it was taking water in its engine room. Two government tugs and a rescue vessel were sent to assist along with the local fire department.
Zeytinburnu önlerinde karaya sürüklenen ve acil yard?m talebinde bulunan KADR?YE ANA isimli 80 m. boyundaki gemi için, NENE HATUN Acil Müdahale Gemimiz, KURTARMA-7 ve KURTARMA-9 ve KURTARMA-10 Römorkörlerimiz ile kara tahlisiye ekibimiz olay yerine ivedilikle yönlendirildi. pic.twitter.com/qEknb9ZYAd
— KEGM (@kiyiemniyet) November 29, 2023
Karaya oturan KADR?YE ANA isimli gemi, yap?lan kurtarma çal??malar? sonras?nda ba?ar?yla yüzdürüldü. pic.twitter.com/fR71v9sohC
— KEGM (@kiyiemniyet) November 29, 2023
The 11 crewmembers were evacuated on the shoreside of the vessel using a breeches buoy. The tugs reportedly worked to hold the vessel in place during the storm.
Today with high tide and improving weather conditions, the tugs were able to refloat the tanker. Pictures showed the vessel listing to starboard but afloat. Reports were that it was being towed to the shipyard in Tuzla for repairs.