Working Conditions Aboard the Sitka

On the morning of January 21, 2024, the cargo ship 'Balkan 1' encountered an engine issue while navigating south of Kepez Port in the Dardanelles. The vessel, which was on a voyage from Izmir to Yeisk, Russia, required assistance due to the malfunction. In response to the situation, the Çanakkale VTS Center coordinated efforts to ensure the ship's safety. The 'Balkan 1' successfully anchored at Karanlık Liman, aided by a pilot and the tugboat 'Türkeli' (IMO: 9816256) to facilitate its mooring. For more updates, you can view the related photo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1748988633330118766.

On January 31, 2019, the bulk carrier 'Balkan 1', which had set sail from Nemrut, encountered a grounding incident while navigating the Azov-Don Ship Canal on its way to Azov for a coal cargo. Fortunately, the grounding did not affect the passage of other vessels in the canal, and there were no environmental hazards reported. After a swift response, a tug boat managed to refloat the 'Balkan 1' within three hours. The ship continued its journey and successfully docked in Azov later that evening at 6:30 p.m.

On May 14, 2018, at 3 a.m., the vessel 'Balkan 1,' identified by IMO number not listed, encountered a significant technical malfunction while navigating the Bosphorus Strait on its way from Istanbul to Yeisk. The situation necessitated an immediate response, and by 4 p.m., the ship securely anchored at Buyukdere anchorage. Due to the incident, permission for passage through the strait was revoked until essential repairs could be completed. On the evening of May 15, at 8 p.m., the 'Balkan 1' positioned itself at coordinates 40° 58.84' N 028° 54.97' E, just off the coast of Istanbul. After successfully undergoing repairs, the vessel resumed its journey, departing on May 19 at 10:40 a.m., aiming for Fatsa, Turkey, with an estimated arrival time of May 27 at 4 a.m. Ultimately, the 'Balkan 1' reached Rostov on Don, docking at coal berth no. 3 on May 2 at noon, after its repair journey from Istanbul.