Pilatus Marine refloated after grounding in Çanakkale Strait

The bulk carrier Pilatus Marine successfully refloated after it ran aground at Nara Dönüşü while transiting the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye. No pollution or damage to the vessel was reported.

Vessel PILATUS MARINE, image credit: PILATUS MARINE

The vessel was sailing in ballast en-route from Syria to Russia when it suffered a machinery failure and subsequently grounded on 29 July. Promptly, Türkiye's General Directorate of Coastal Safety dispatched tugs Kurtarma 16, Kurtarma 19 and emergency response boat Kıyem 1 to assist the distressed vessel. The operation was coordinated by the Çanakkale Ship Traffic Services Centre.

Authorities also deployed divers to conduct an underwater inspection of the vessel following the incident. Following the inspection and salvage operation, Pilatus Marine was successfully refloated on 30 July.

Under the coordination of the Çanakkale Ship Traffic Services Centre and with a harbour pilot aboard, the vessel safely completed its passage through the Çanakkale Strait with assistance from the two tugs and Kıyem 1. The ship traffic in the strait reopened, which was temporarily halted following the grounding.

Pilatus Marine is a bulk carrier sailing under the flag of San Marino. The vessel measures 189.99 meters in length and 32.26 meters in width.