The AYAZ BEY tugboat collided with the MENTOR tanker off Romania; all crew members are safe after a successful rescue operation.
The Turkish-flagged tugboat AYAZ BEY, which was towing a damaged tanker off the coast of Ukraine, collided with a vessel while operating off the coast of Romania near Neptun. Following the accident that occurred on November 4, 2026, a search and rescue operation was initiated in the area, and it was reported that all seven Turkish sailors aboard the tug were safe.
Towing lines snapped due to bad weather conditions.
According to a statement from the Romanian Maritime Authority, the AYAZ BEY and RAMAZAN BEY tugboats, operated by Istanbul-based PGE Tugs, were towing the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged tanker MENTOR, which had previously sustained damage near the Port of Odessa in Ukraine.
Due to severe winds and heavy sea conditions in the area, the towing lines snapped. After the lines were reattached, a technical issue occurred in AYAZ BEY's propulsion system, causing the tug to collide with the MENTOR tanker it was towing.
Following the accident, AYAZ BEY issued an international MAYDAY distress call at approximately 04:20 local time.
Three Turkish sailors were evacuated.
In response to the distress call, the Romanian Search and Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC Constanța) sprang into action.
The Romanian Coast Guard, emergency response teams, and the ARES search and rescue vessel belonging to ARSVOM were dispatched to the area.
Three of the seven Turkish sailors aboard AYAZ BEY were evacuated onto the Dutch-flagged tugboat ODIN and taken to Mangalia Port. The other four sailors chose to remain on the tug, stating that they did not need assistance.
Romanian authorities reported that there were no casualties or injuries resulting from the accident.
The tugboat did not sink; it was secured off Mangalia.
In the initial statement from the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, it was indicated that AYAZ BEY had sunk. However, a subsequent correction announced that the tugboat did not sink but was stabilized after sustaining damage and safely anchored off Mangalia.
The MENTOR tanker was adrift off the coast of Bulgaria.
After the accident, the towing connection of the MENTOR tanker snapped again, and the vessel was adrift into Bulgarian territorial waters.
According to a PortNews report dated November 5, the 13,013 DWT tanker, which was said to be carrying approximately 11,000 tons of sunflower oil, continued to drift near the shores of Shabla, Bulgaria. Bulgarian authorities were monitoring the developments, while the RAMAZAN BEY tugboat was reported to be attempting to approach the vessel again to provide assistance.
Turkish-flagged, built in 1981, 317 GT tugboat.
Turkish-flagged, built in 1972, 339 GT tugboat.
Antigua and Barbuda-flagged, built in 2007, 13,013 DWT tanker.
PGE Tugs, Istanbul.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
