A severe storm affecting the Black Sea has pushed the Cameroon-flagged bulk carrier 'NINOVA' to the brink of disaster. The 83-meter giant ship, which ran aground in the Karasu district of Sakarya, became the scene of unforgettable images during the rescue operation organized for the crew trapped on board.

As the ship lost control and crashed onto the shore due to the storm, a race against time began for the eight personnel on board. At critical moments when giant waves battered the hull and the water level rose to the second deck, helicopter and boat intervention became impossible.

A 'Varagele' Line was Established: The Coast Guard General Directorate (KEGM) and NAK teams set up a rope system called 'varagele' by launching rockets from the shore to the ship.

Flagged Evacuation: The crew, consisting of seven Azerbaijani and one Turkish national, was pulled to the shore one by one via this line. At the end of the operation, the last crew member to leave the ship reached the shore while waving the Turkish flag amid the giant waves, leading to emotional moments.

THE SHIP IS 'DRIFTING INCH BY INCH'

Although the evacuation operation was successfully completed, the danger for the 'NINOVA' is not over. The emptied ship continues to drift uncontrollably along the coastline due to the turbulent waves of the Black Sea.

LISTED: According to the latest information, the ship is slightly tilted towards the north.

TEAMS ON ALERT: Coast Guard teams are closely monitoring the risk of environmental pollution due to the possibility of fuel leaking from the ship.

HIS RECORD IS BULKY

Investigations conducted after the accident revealed that the veteran ship, built in 1989, has been going through a challenging technical process. It has been learned that during inspections in 2025, a total of 65 different safety deficiencies were identified for the ship, which was detained in Italy in 2024.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye