A Turkish seafarer, 3rd Officer Ali Yol, a graduate of Istanbul Technical University (ITU) Maritime Faculty, is currently detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The reason for the arrest is cited as an incident that allegedly occurred on the ship where he served, which is claimed to have caused damage to underwater internet cables.

Ali Yol (24), who served as the 3rd officer on the tanker ship ARD HORIZON, was arrested approximately three months ago on the allegation that an anchor dropped from the ship damaged internet cables in the sea.

According to the allegations, it was claimed that during the anchoring process of the Panama-flagged LPG tanker ARD HORIZON, damage was inflicted on the fiber optic cables running underwater. Following this allegation, an investigation was initiated, and Ali Yol was taken into custody and subsequently arrested.

However, the main question that has sparked public debate is this: Can the responsibility for such an incident truly be placed on the shoulders of a 3rd officer serving on the ship?

Ship Free, Company Free, Seafarer in Prison

According to information regarding the ARD HORIZON ship:

Ship Owner: Iguana International SA

Operator / Manager: Adam Energy Management Inc.

Despite this, the ship is free. The company is free. The ship owner is free. But the Turkish seafarer is in prison.

It is emphasized that decisions regarding anchoring and critical navigation operations in the maritime sector are made within the framework of captaincy, bridge management, company procedures, and ship operating instructions, rather than the initiative of an individual officer. Therefore, holding Ali Yol solely responsible raises serious questions within professional circles.

Legal Ownership of the Company is Questioned

Even more noteworthy is the fact that, following the incident, neither the ship operator nor the ship owner has demonstrated a strong and transparent legal ownership in the public eye.

Questions regarding which lawyer has been appointed in the UAE, whether any bail has been posted, whether insurance processes have been activated, and whether Ali Yol has been left alone in the legal process remain unanswered so far.

Reactions from the Maritime Community

The maritime community emphasizes that Turkish seafarers working abroad should not be left alone in similar situations and that companies must provide clear and strong legal support to their personnel. Experts state that the incident should be addressed not as an individual matter but in terms of its institutional and technical dimensions.

The fact that a young 3rd officer, a graduate of ITU Maritime Faculty, is in prison in a foreign country brings the legal protections of Turkish seafarers, company responsibilities, and diplomatic support mechanisms back into focus.

In the public eye, the question remains clear: Why is a Turkish seafarer still in prison while the ship is free and the companies continue their operations?

Source: SeaNews Türkiye