water ingress prompts major rescue, oil seizure averted
The Panama-flagged oil tanker M/T Mersin, owned by a Turkish company and operated under Beşiktaş Denizcilik, issued a distress signal on the night of November 27–28 after water was detected in its engine room while off the coast of Dakar, Senegal. Authorities dispatched tugboats and maritime-rescue teams from Senegal’s navy and port authority to the site. According to official statements, all 22 crew members were evacuated safely without injuries.
Local authorities moved quickly to stabilize the vessel and prevent a potential oil spill. Emergency measures included stopping water ingress, transferring cargo fuel where necessary, and deploying anti-pollution booms around the tanker. Photographs shared online show the vessel’s stern dangerously close to the waterline, indicating either severe flooding or a heavy cargo load — though photos do not conclusively prove a hull breach.
While some media outlets and unnamed sources have suggested the tanker may have been struck by unmanned surface drones — given its alleged prior visits to Russian ports and cargo of Russian oil — Senegalese authorities have not confirmed any attack; investigation continues. As of this writing, the tanker remains under supervision, with salvage and environmental-safety efforts ongoing.
For now, the rapid rescue of the crew and prompt pollution-prevention measures have likely averted a maritime disaster. But the fate of the M/T Mersin — and any potential long-term legal, environmental or operational ramifications — remains uncertain.
