Panama flag 177 meters long Bulk Carrier M/V El Condor Pas went aground in Istanbul Strait. Vessel was passing from Marmara Sea to Black Sea direction without a pilot.
"El Condor Pas", fully laden, went aground in Istanbul Strait Panama flag 177 meters long Bulk Carrier M/V El Condor Pas went aground in Istanbul Strait. Vessel was passing from Marmara Sea to Black Sea direction without a pilot. The ship was en route from Port of Lindoe from Denmark to Turkey's Black Sea port of Samsun. The accident took place at around 05:00 on 09 September 2015. The 20.157 GRT ship is loaded with iron. The ship made an early turn at the Umuryeri Banks shallows area which was marked with buoys. The area is located in the Northern section of the Istanbul Strait. It seems the captain was confused about the location of the buoys and made an early turn. Ships without pilot cause 93% of accidents in the Strait of İstanbul, while half of the passing vessels still don't use pilot which is strongly recommended by International Maritime Organization and by Turkish Law.
