Discover the Eileen: Ratings & Maritime News

On October 12, 2025, at 1:14 PM, the cargo vessel 'Eileen', carrying a shipment of bagged gypsum and manned by ten Ukrainian crew members, encountered a critical leak approximately 140 miles east of Varna. Having departed from Bartin and bound for Chornomorsk, the ship faced impending disaster as massive water ingress caused it to list dangerously. The crew swiftly issued a distress signal that reached the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Varna. The last known AIS position was recorded at 43° 14' N 031° 05' E at 1:42 PM UTC. In response to the emergency, a multitude of rescue units sprang into action, including a Bulgarian border patrol vessel, a Romanian ship, a nearby Turkish support craft, and a Bulgarian Navy helicopter, with the corvette 'Bodri' placed on alert. The crew abandoned ship using two life rafts and was successfully rescued by the Turkish offshore vessel 'Murat Ilhan' (IMO: 9395446) by 7:31 PM. Fortunately, medical checks indicated no need for air evacuation, and the sailors were transported safely to Filyos port in Zonguldak, Turkey. The Bulgarian Navy helicopter eventually returned to base, while the participating Bulgarian and Romanian vessels were excused from further search and rescue (SAR) operations. Investigations into the cause of the sinking were initiated, with authorities confirming that no environmental pollution was detected in the area surrounding the incident. The 'Eileen' has a troubled past, having been repeatedly detained during safety inspections for significant violations. The most recent inspection occurred in Izmail, where five serious non-compliances with the BSMoU were documented. Prior detentions in July and June revealed major concerns, including deficiencies in stability instrumentation, fire pumps, emergency lighting, and crew training. Though not warranting immediate detention, inspectors noted concerning deck corrosion and structural issues. The vessel was eventually allowed to proceed to a shipyard for repairs, but the Paris MOU imposed a three-month sailing ban due to its history of multiple detentions. Preliminary assessments suggest that the sinking was attributed to structural weaknesses, rather than external damage. For further reading, check out these reports with accompanying photos: [Maritime.bg](https://www.maritime.bg/143153/), [Fakti.bg](https://fakti.bg/en/bulgaria/1006739-the-entire-crew-of-the-cargo-ship-eileen-in-distress-in-the-black-sea-has-been-rescued), [Maritime.bg](https://www.maritime.bg/143134/).

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has officially reported the vessel EILEEN (IMO: 9070503) as abandoned, marking a critical situation for the crew involved. Key Details Include: - **Flag**: Cameroon - **Port of Abandonment**: Astakos, Greece - **Wages Outstanding**: 3 months - **Crew Members Affected**: 13 - **Nationality of Crew**: Ukrainian - **Date Reported to ITF**: May 1, 2025 - **Current Status**: Open This case is part of the ITF Seafarers abandonment list, which monitors instances of crew abandonment across the globe, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by maritime professionals.

In a recent maritime incident, a Turkish cargo vessel, the Haksa, encountered significant damage near Jabuka Island, located off Croatia's southern coast, early on Sunday morning. According to Joso Vujic, the commissioner of Split maritime police, the vessel is set to be towed to Trogir shipyard overnight. Vujic reassured the public that there was no imminent threat of the ship sinking or risk of pollution in the pristine Adriatic Sea. At approximately 4 a.m., the crew aboard the 85-meter-long Haksa reported water ingress, igniting concerns for their safety. The vessel was navigating in international waters, approximately 16 miles northwest of Jabuka Island, when the incident occurred as it transported a hefty 3,000 tonnes of magnesite from Turkey to the Slovenian port of Koper. As part of a coordinated response, eight out of the 13 crew members were safely evacuated to Split port via a police boat, while the captain and four crew members remained on board to manage the situation. Vujic noted that preliminary assessments suggest that the vessel's aging condition likely contributed to the damage. Sinisa Orlic, the assistant to Croatia's Minister of Maritime Affairs and Transport, highlighted the effectiveness of the emergency response, stating that what initially appeared to be a potentially disastrous situation was resolved without escalation. Rescuers quickly patched the breach with an aluminum plate, successfully averting disaster. During a press conference, Vujic emphasized that this operation demonstrated Croatia's preparedness in search and rescue efforts at sea, reinforcing the country's reputation as a safe tourist destination. The ongoing investigations will further examine the circumstances surrounding the Haksa's distress as it heads for repairs.

On June 17, 2018, a critical situation unfolded in the Adriatic Sea when eight crew members of the cargo freighter 'Haksa' were evacuated after the vessel began to take on water approximately 16 miles from Jabuka Island, Croatia. An emergency distress signal was received at around 4 a.m., indicating that the engine room was flooding. Fortunately, the nearby Italian tanker 'Valcadorea' was quickly redirected to the scene. In a timely operation, the 'Valcadorea' successfully rescued eight of the ship's 13 crew members, comprising 11 Turkish and two Indian nationals, who were subsequently transported to Split, Croatia. Authorities from both Croatia and Italy activated a coordinated rescue effort and alerted surrounding ships of the emergency. The ship's captain, alongside four crew members, heroically chose to remain aboard in an effort to stabilize the vessel until rescue teams arrived. A dive team later assessed the ship in the afternoon, revealing a breach in the hull which was temporarily sealed, successfully halting the water intrusion. At the time of the incident, the 'Haksa' was carrying 70 tonnes of fuel and lubricant oil, but thankfully, no leaks occurred. To facilitate necessary repairs, the decision was made to tow the vessel to Brodotrogir's yard in Trogir. The Croatian tug 'Alkaid' (IMO: 8920933) and the patrol boat 'Sibenik' (MMSI: 238632710) were dispatched for the towing operation. However, the process faced complications later that night when water began to re-enter the ship 12 miles northwest of Drvenik. Consequently, the remaining crew were also evacuated to join their colleagues in Split. Firefighters and diver teams equipped with pumps were deployed to manage the water influx. The 'Haksa' had departed from Izmit on June 9, 2018, carrying a cargo of 3,000 tonnes of magnesium and was en route to Koper. Eventually, the vessel was successfully towed into Trogir port by 4:30 p.m. For further updates and visuals, check the Croatian news reports: [Klix](https://www.klix.ba/vijesti/regija/havarija-turskog-broda-na-jadranu-ponovo-prodire-voda-zaustavljeno-tegljenje/180618025), [Dalmatinski Portal](http://dalmatinskiportal.hr/vijesti/fotogalerija--pogledajte-kako-izgleda-turski-brod--haksa--koji-je-dozivio-havariju-kod-jabuke/32592), [Avaz](https://avaz.ba/region/hrvatska/389607/pojavila-se-nova-rupa-na-turskom-brodu-tegljenje-prekinuto).