Working Conditions Aboard the Ali-Aykin

In a recent court ruling, the Turkish captain of the cargo vessel 'Ali Aykin' has been found guilty of gross negligence concerning maritime navigation. The incident occurred on May 25, when the ship ran aground near Klagshamn, located south of Malmö. The 'Ali Aykin' was on a voyage from Gdansk to Setúbal, carrying a significant load of scrap metal along with 69 tons of diesel oil. The court deemed the captain's actions unacceptable, as he was reportedly distracted by scrolling through social media platforms such as Instagram and YouTube while navigating in an area known for requiring heightened alertness. Following the grounding, the vessel was successfully towed to the port of Malmö in early June. As a consequence of his actions, the captain received a suspended sentence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus during maritime operations.

On May 25, the 'Ali Aykin' ran aground off Klagshamn, a mishap that has led to significant legal repercussions for the ship's second mate. The officer on watch, a 45-year-old male, was charged with gross negligence in maritime traffic after it was revealed that he was preoccupied with his mobile phone at the time of the incident. The prosecution alleges that his distraction contributed directly to the grounding of the ship. The investigation uncovered more alarming details: the second mate was navigating through darkness without a functioning echo sounder and lacked assistance from a lookout or commanding officer. Instead of focusing on his duties, he was engaged with his mobile device. Evidence for the prosecution was gathered through crew interviews, ship data analysis, and examination of sea charts. In addition to taking statements from the crew, prosecutors conducted a thorough inspection of the ship’s bottom for damage and analyzed weather conditions at the time to determine their possible influence on the incident. Fortunately, no oil leak occurred as a result of the grounding. At the time of the accident, the 'Ali Aykin' was transporting scrap metal from Gdansk to Setúbal and carrying 69 tons of diesel oil on board. Following the grounding, the vessel was salvaged on June 3 and was subsequently piloted to the port of Malmö for necessary inspections and repairs. Since then, the 'Ali Aykin' has remained in port, under scrutiny as the legal proceedings unfold.

As of June 10, the 'Ali Aykin' remains docked in Malmö as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding its deviation from the designated shipping channel, which resulted in the vessel grounding on a sandy and stony seabed near Klagshamn. The maritime prosecutors have taken action, detaining a crew member on charges of gross negligence related to maritime navigation. Additionally, another crew member is under scrutiny for possible intoxication at the time of the incident. Concerns arose from the Swedish Coast Guard regarding a potential oil spill, given that the vessel carries 69 tons of fuel oil and a breach was identified in one of its ballast tanks, complicating salvage efforts due to flooding within the vessel. On June 3, a salvage company contracted by the ship's owners initiated the process of transferring part of the cargo, comprised of scrap metal, to a nearby barge, an operation monitored by three Coast Guard vessels. Moving forward, the ship will face further inspections as prosecutors delve into the crew's actions during this maritime event.

In a remarkable operation, the cargo ship 'Ali Aykin' was successfully refloated late on June 4 and safely docked in Malmö during the early hours of June 5. The vessel made its way to the harbor under its own power, with crucial assistance from tugboats and oversight from the Swedish Coast Guard. The journey to the port was accomplished in just two hours under favorable sailing conditions. Importantly, no oil spills were detected either during the salvage operation or en route to Malmö. This successful recovery effort highlights the effective collaboration among various authorities and private stakeholders, ensuring that the environmental risk in the Sound has been significantly mitigated. Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation into potential gross negligence in maritime navigation is currently being spearheaded by local prosecutors. One crew member has reportedly been detained under suspicion related to the incident. On a related note, efforts to manage the situation surrounding another grounded vessel, the 'Meshka,' continue off the coast of Landskrona. Described as complex, the scenario remains under control with Coast Guard teams actively working to reduce any potential environmental impact. The 'Meshka' reportedly holds around 938 metric tons of fuel and lubricating oil in its tanks. Authorities have deployed vessels equipped for oil spill response to the area as a precautionary measure. For further updates, photos, and videos, please refer to the Swedish Coast Guard and local news reports at: https://www.kustbevakningen.se/nyheter/fartyg-pa-grund-soder-om-oresund/ and https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/skane/se-nar-det-grundstotta-fartyget-i-oresund-bargas.