Santorini Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On October 14, 2020, the cargo vessel 'Santorini', sailing from Burgas to Cadiz, experienced an unexpected engine failure while navigating the Istanbul Strait. The ship began drifting dangerously close to the shore near Kanlica point during the early hours of the morning. In response to the distress situation, the Coastal Safety Directorate deployed the tugs 'Kurtarma-5' and 'Kurtarma-11', along with a fast rescue boat and a specialized technical team, to render vital assistance. These efforts successfully towed the 'Santorini' to the designated anchorage in Istanbul. Following the incident, both the Harbour Master and the strait authority initiated an investigation and imposed a fine on the vessel for violating safe passage regulations within the strait. By October 15, the ship remained securely moored at coordinates 40° 59.43' N 028° 58.29' E, ensuring the safety of the crew and cargo.

On February 26, at 7:45 p.m., the cargo vessel 'Santorini' made its entrance into the Weser estuary, marking a pivotal moment for maritime operations in the region. Earlier that day, at 11 a.m., the Towing Assistance Team had already embarked onto the emergency tug known as 'Nordic'. Approximately 10 nautical miles west of the Alte Weser Light, additional support was provided as tugs 'Bugsier 5' and 'Carl' joined the ongoing convoy. The 'Nordic' subsequently departed the convoy, allowing the 'Santorini' to continue its journey unhindered. The vessel successfully docked at Columbus Quay at 12:30 a.m. on February 27, with plans to install a replacement for its lost rudder blade at the Bredo Yard. The Central Command for Maritime Emergencies concluded its operations at 8:15 p.m. Following this, on February 28 at 7 a.m., the 'Santorini' entered a dock at German Dry Docks in Bremerhaven, where repair work on its rudder gear commenced at the Bredo Yard. For a closer look at the situation, watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H73MkeO14Hs.

In the early hours of February 26, between 2:20 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., an important towing maneuver took place involving the bulk carrier 'Santorini'. The towing wire was expertly transferred from the tug 'Nordic' to the powerful tug 'Bugsier 30' (IMO: 9416563). Once the transfer was finalized, 'Bugsier 30', alongside the escort vessel 'Nordic', began towing the disabled bulk carrier toward the Weser estuary at a steady speed of approximately five knots, with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) projected for 9:00 p.m. Throughout the operation, the Towing Assistance Team maintained vigilant oversight of the towing connection to ensure safety. As a precaution, the fire brigade team from Cuxhaven was airlifted by helicopter; fortunately, no medical assistance was ultimately needed. Later in the evening, the convoy received further support as tugs 'Carl' (IMO: 9112739) and 'Bugsier 5' (IMO: 9376206) joined the operation, assisting on its journey upstream through the Weser.