GRACE ROMAVICTOR Runs Aground at Çilingöz Coast Amid Stormy Weather

The Liberia-flagged GRACE ROMAVICTOR, reported to have been attacked in Russia, ran aground in Çatalca after its towing line broke while being towed to İğneada.

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, an incident occurred off the coast of Çatalca, Istanbul, where the commercial vessel GRACE ROMAVICTOR, under the Liberia flag, was dragged ashore at the Çilingöz Nature Park due to the storm that affected it while being towed by a tugboat.

According to information obtained, the vessel, which was previously reported to have been attacked in Russia, was towed towards İğneada Port by the Cameroon-flagged tugboat ATHLETIC starting from October 12 in order to reach a safe area.

When they reached the waters off Çatalca, the towing line between the vessel and the tugboat broke due to strong winds and high waves. The GRACE ROMAVICTOR, being dragged uncontrollably, ran aground near Çilingöz Nature Park.

Due to adverse weather conditions, the captain of the ATHLETIC tugboat, which was struggling to make progress, communicated with the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) to inform them that he would seek refuge in İğneada.

After the towing connection broke, the drifting of the GRACE ROMAVICTOR towards the shore could not be prevented.

Upon notification at 13:33, Coast Guard teams were dispatched to the area. The General Directorate of Coastal Safety teams were also directed to the scene.

It was reported that there was no crew on board the grounded vessel and that the ship was empty.

Initial inspections conducted by the teams around the vessel and on the water's surface found no fuel leakage or environmental pollution.

Istanbul Regional Port Authority teams began efforts to remove the grounded vessel from its location and to clear it from the area.

It was reported that the salvage operations were being conducted considering the weather and sea conditions due to the storm and high waves affecting the region.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye