Alsu Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On September 15, 2023, a significant breakthrough occurred in the search efforts for the missing crew members of the 'Tuğberk Imamoğlu' when the body of the vessel’s first captain, Yaşar Kayhan, was discovered. The grim find was made during ongoing search and recovery operations in the Marmara Sea. Turkish Coast Guard Command, the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, and the Turkish Naval Forces have been actively engaged in searching for the ten missing individuals since the vessel's unfortunate accident. The deceased was located approximately five kilometers from where the 'Tuğberk Imamoğlu' collided with the 'Alsu,' roughly 18 nautical miles off the coast of Silivri. Following its recovery, the body was transported to the Council of Forensic Medicine for formal identification and examination. In light of the ongoing recovery efforts, diving operations and underwater scanning activities have intensified in the vicinity of the wreck. Meanwhile, the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the incident, ensuring that all protocols are followed meticulously to uncover the full details surrounding the accident. With Captain Kayhan identified, the focus now shifts to locating the remaining nine crew members who remain unaccounted for.

In a significant maritime incident off the coast of Silivri, Turkey, the Captain of the cargo ship 'Alsu', Ahmet Erarslan, and Second Officer Murat Evciman have been taken into custody as investigations unfold, following a collision with the vessel 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu'. During their testimonies, both crew members highlighted several critical factors surrounding the crash. According to Second Officer Evciman, who was navigating at the time, the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' suddenly veered toward the 'Alsu'. He remarked, "Its lights were not visible; it did not appear on the AIS system.” Evciman described that he only detected the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' on the radar while receiving a radio communication, directing them to 'take it to port'. Despite executing an initial five-degree turn to port, he later made a sharper maneuver to port after perceiving an imminent threat. He reported, “When the distance was 500 meters, the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' suddenly altered its course toward my ship.” In a desperate attempt to avoid the collision, Evciman signaled over the radio, warning, 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu, you are heading towards me—stop.' Despite these alerts, the distance between the two vessels diminished rapidly, culminating in impact on the 'Alsu's starboard bow as the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' managed to evade radar detection shortly afterward. Captain Erarslan stated that he was off-duty when the accident occurred but swiftly joined the crew upon the alarm of collision. Observing the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' from about 300 meters away, he noted, “I saw the ship’s lights vanish completely within 2-3 minutes.” He contested any blame in the incident, explaining that the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu', while instructing them to steer to port, should not have been maneuvering starboard, which he insists led to the collision. Erarslan emphasized, “Had our vessel struck the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' with great force, we would have sustained significant damage.” Currently, the 'Alsu' remains anchored at coordinates 41° 03' N 028° 14' E, pending further investigations into the collision, which has raised serious concerns regarding navigation safety in the region. This ongoing inquiry not only underscores the need for stringent maritime protocols but also highlights the crucial importance of effective communication between vessels. For further insights, you can view the detailed report along with photos and videos at [Yeni Safak](https://en.yenisafak.com/turkiye/turkiye-locates-ship-sunk-after-collision-off-silivri-3722759) and [Newsflare](https://www.newsflare.com/video/919727/commercial-vessel-alsu-remains-anchored-off-silivri-following-marmara-sea-collision-2).

In a significant development, two of the six individuals apprehended aboard the vessel 'Alsu' have been officially arrested as ongoing investigations proceed under the guidance of the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. As part of this investigation, nine out of the ten crew members onboard provided statements while still confined to the ship, excluding the ship's cook. During this time, suspects remained under the watch of the gendarmerie due to the investigation's active status and the vessel's security protocols. Preliminary tests conducted indicated no presence of alcohol; however, blood samples were taken for further evaluation. The arrested crew include Ahmet Erarslan, the captain, and Murat Evciman, the second officer of the 'Alsu'. Following the delivery of an initial report by an expert panel appointed by the Prosecutor's Office to assess liability, the six individuals who had earlier provided statements were brought before the court in Silivri. This process involved interrogations led by two public prosecutors. The court determined that the captain and second officer would both be remanded in custody due to the evidence suggesting their involvement in the incident, while the other four suspects faced remand proceedings and were subsequently released under judicial supervision. In addition, it was declared that divers would be deployed to investigate the submerged sections of the 'Alsu'. Preliminary reports from suspects indicated that two to three crew members from the nearby vessel 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' were on deck prior to the sinking. While there is currently no evidence of their survival, efforts continue to recover their bodies should they have perished. Sadly, the wreckage has yet to be accessed for examination. The Public Prosecutor's Office has swiftly launched an investigation, ensuring a robust collaboration with relevant organizations to locate the missing crew. In a statement, officials emphasized the commitment to uncovering the full circumstances of the incident, detailing steps to secure all pertinent information, documents, and evidence, including navigation and communication records from the vessels involved. A deputy chief public prosecutor alongside two others has been appointed to assure stringent oversight over the process, guaranteeing thorough judicial scrutiny as the investigation unfolds.

A preliminary investigation into the tragic collision between the 'Alsu' and the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' near Silivri has revealed crucial insights into the events leading up to the disaster. Released findings indicate that the collision at 03:13 a.m. was primarily attributed to a 'mutual lack of bridge discipline' and a significant neglect of watchkeeping protocols, resulting in a drastic loss of situational awareness on both vessels. The report highlights that the absence of a lookout aboard the tanker played a pivotal role in the tragic outcome, which could likely have been avoided. It was noted that the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu' sank swiftly after sustaining a breach on its port side, while the 'Alsu' emerged with only minor scrapes on its starboard side. Compounding the situation was the fact that the ‘Tuğberk İmamoğlu’ had its AIS device turned off and executed an unexpected starboard turn within the last 0.5 miles of navigation, conflicting with prior radio communications. The investigation pointed out a significant deficiency aboard the 'Alsu', indicating that adherence to the ‘Watch Condition B’ protocol in its safety manual (BMM) with an experienced captain and an additional lookout could have allowed for earlier detection of the tanker’s erratic maneuver—potentially from a distance of 1.5 to 1.8 miles. Under COLREG Rule 8, it was concluded that the collision might have been entirely preventable or its consequences mitigated through immediate engine shutdown or an emergency astern maneuver. Unfortunately, the officer stationed alone on the bridge of the 'Alsu' was unable to assess the situation effectively in time to avoid the tragedy. Notably, footage from the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) provided by the General Directorate of Coastal Safety showed no record of the 'Tuğberk İmamoğlu'; however, the tanker was visible on the 'Alsu'’s ECDIS screen. In the wake of the incident, Turkish prosecutors have detained nine crew members from the 'Alsu', with the sole exception being the cook. As of September 3, the vessel remains at anchor. For further visuals, you can view a video covering the aftermath of the collision at this link: [Video](https://www.reutersconnect.com/item/drone-footage-shows-commercial-vessel-alsu-anchored-off-istanbuls-silivri-coast-after-maritime-collision/dGFnOnJldXRlcnMuY29tLDIwMjY6bmV3c21sX09XQU5BQ0FBVklERU8yMDI2MDkwMzQyMzcyOTI2).

A significant environmental incident occurred on June 1, 2024, when approximately 12 tons of diesel oil spilled into the waters from the vessel 'Alsu' during fuel loading operations at a fuel oil facility in Tekirdağ. The leakage happened due to a broken connection, resulting in diesel escaping over the side of the ship. In response to the emergency, teams from the Coast Guard Command and Tekirdağ Port Authority promptly arrived at the scene to initiate an investigation into the incident. Consequently, the Tekirdağ Port Authority has fined the shipowner 120,006,000 liras, emphasizing accountability in maritime operations. In the aftermath, strict precautions were enforced at the port, and immediate cleaning efforts began to mitigate environmental damage. For a detailed report and photographs, please visit: https://www.evrensel.net/haber/520097/tekirdagda-12-bin-litre-mazot-marmaraya-sizdi