PRESS STATEMENT ABOUT THE COLLISION AT CANAKKALE STRAIT

161.8-meter-long Malta flagged cruise ship “CELESTYAL CRYSTAL” with 853 passengers and 382 crew members onboard while leaving Canakkale Strait from North collided with 184.26-meter-long Marshall Islands flagged tanker “STI PIMLICO” while entering Canakkale Strait from the North despite all warnings made by the Çanakkale Vessel Traffic Services, on 27.06.2015 at 01.25 a.m. in front of Gelibolu lighthouse.

The tanker which suffered damage from her portside was immediately anchored in front of Gelibolu within traffic line. Cruise ship which was reported that she suffered damage from her stern is proceeding to Gelibolu bay with a pilot onboard.

No injuries or loss of life reported on both vessels but it was reported that there are cagro leakage from tanker.

After the incident, our Kurtarma 2, Kurtarma 5, Kurtarma 9 , Söndüren 7 tug boats and Kegm 2, Kegm 9 SAR boats, Tahlisiye II boat and their teams were immediately sent by our Organization to the place of incident.

The vessel was carrying naphtha cargo which is distilled petroleum product as Unno 1268. There has been a cargo transfer from the tank of damaged portside of vessel to the tanks at starboard of vessel.  At the same time, the inert and cooling operation have been performed against the danger of fire. 

After taking necessary measures, our tugs have been started to tow the vessel at 06.08 a.m. for mooring in the anchorage area in front of Şevketiye reserved for the vessels carrying dangerous cargo.

Information has been taken from the Çanakkale Provincial Environmental Directorate that samples about cargo leak are collected from the air in certain points of the strait and effect to human health is under examination.

Çanakkale Strait has been opened to two-way traffic at 09.10 a.m.

STI PIMLICO named tanker has been towed with the cooling operation by our tugs and moored in the anchorage area out of the strait reserved for  the vessels carrying dangerous cargo at 11.10 a.m.