Working Conditions Aboard the Usichem

On December 21, 2021, the Bosphorus Strait faced a significant disruption as two-way ship traffic was halted due to a malfunction involving the tanker 'Uschem'. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. off Anadolu Kavağı during its north-south passage through the crucial waterway. Loaded with sunflower oil, the vessel was making its way from Sulina to Sevilla when it experienced a mechanical failure and was forced to emergency anchor directly within the fairway. In response, the Coastal Safety authority promptly dispatched tugs 'Kurtarma-5' and 'Kurtarma-8' along with the lifeboat 'KEGM-5' to provide necessary assistance. By 11 a.m., the 'Uschem' managed to restart its engine and continued its journey under the escort of the tugs. Subsequently, the tanker was secured at the Ahırkapı anchorage for repairs before resuming its voyage, with an estimated arrival time of December 28. For more details, check the reports with accompanying photos and videos at: https://www.sabah.com.tr/yasam/son-dakika-istanbul-bogazi-gemi-trafigine-kapatildi-5795548?paging=3 and https://twitter.com/kiyiemniyet/status/1473279591120834561.

The vessel 'Usichem', which faced a significant fire incident while navigating the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 50 miles southeast of Rhodes on April 19, has successfully completed its repairs. The ship had been docked at Tuzla for maintenance since April 28. After a thorough repair process, the 'Usichem' departed Tuzla on August 2 and is now anchored in the port's roads, ready to continue its maritime operations.

On April 19, 2017, the tanker 'Usichem' experienced a fire in its engine room while navigating the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 50 miles southeast of Rhodes, Greece. The incident prompted the vessel's master to immediately alert the Greek Coastguard and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC). Although the fire was successfully extinguished, the tanker was left disabled and adrift, putting the 17-member crew in a challenging position as they worked diligently to repair the engine. Emergency response was rapid, with a patrol boat and lifeguard dispatched to the scene alongside a Super Puma helicopter for aerial support. The weather conditions included winds blowing at four Beaufort, adding to the urgency of the situation. As of 1 p.m., the Usichem was still drifting, recorded at coordinates 35°50'N 28°50'E. The tanker, carrying a cargo of 5,900 tons of sunflower oil, was en route from Istanbul to Sudan. A tug was expected to arrive on April 20 to assist in towing the vessel back to safety in Rhodes, underscoring the critical nature of maritime safety protocols in emergencies.