Working Conditions Aboard the Ironhide

On September 7, 2026, the cargo ship 'Alya Beren' faced detention in Constanta due to a significant number of deficiencies—27 in total, with 18 categorized as severe enough to warrant the vessel's halt. Key issues identified included: 1. Missing certificates for the master and crew members. 2. Absence of seafarers' employment agreements. 3. An invalid International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP) certificate. 4. Insufficient provisions for crew members. 5. Unsatisfactory cleanliness levels in the engine room. 6. Inadequate heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems. 7. An inoperative echo sounder affecting navigation safety. 8. Outdated nautical publications not reflecting current maritime conditions. 9. A missing long-range identification and tracking system. 10. Non-functioning radar equipment. 11. Failure to conduct enclosed space entry and rescue drills has compromised emergency readiness. 12. The emergency fire pump exhibited insufficient pressure alongside its pipes. 13. The fire detection and alarm systems did not meet required standards. 14. Divisional walls, decks, and deadlights were not compliant with fire safety regulations. 15. Fire doors and openings in fire-resistant divisions were deemed unsafe. 16. Crew performance training for fire safety was lacking. 17. The garbage management plan failed to meet pollution prevention standards. 18. Inadequate installation of the VHF radio communications system. Following corrective measures, the vessel was released from detention on September 14 and set sail towards Izmir. As of September 16, 'Alya Beren' was anchored at position 41° 27' N 029° 03' E.

On August 5, 2023, the bulk carrier 'Ironhide', while navigating the Çanakkale Strait and bound for Haifa from Varna, encountered engine failure off the coast of Karanfil Burnu at approximately 10:40 PM UTC. To facilitate a swift recovery, the tugs 'Kurtarma 18' (IMO: 9974890) and 'Kurtarma 19' (IMO: 9995129) were dispatched to assist the stricken vessel. The operation proved successful, and the 'Ironhide' was safely towed and moored at Karanlık Liman anchorage by 2:40 AM on August 6, 2023, at coordinates 40° 02' N 026° 19' E. This timely response was orchestrated by the Çanakkale Vessel Traffic Services Center. For more details, watch the response video here: https://x.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1952987718771982637.

On March 20, 2025, the cargo vessel 'Ironhide' faced a significant setback when it was detained in Kocaeli due to a staggering 32 deficiencies identified during inspections. Among these, seven were classified as serious enough to warrant immediate action, leading to the vessel's detention. The serious issues included a missing voyage or passage plan jeopardizing navigational safety, inadequate fire doors in fire-resistant divisions, a non-functional fire detection and alarm system, and several other fire safety concerns. Additionally, both the fire alarms and the heating system for living and working conditions were found to be inoperative. Fortunately, after addressing the necessary compliance issues, the 'Ironhide' was released on the same day and set course for Tuzla. The vessel docked at the Desan Yardgem Shipyards on March 23 to undergo extensive repairs, aiming to restore full operational capability.