What Crew Members Say About White-Line

On January 3, the cargo vessel 'White Line' found itself aground near Marmara Ereğlisi, a locality in the Tekirdağ district. After three challenging days, the vessel was refloated on January 6 with the aid of the SAR boat 'Tahlisiye 12' (MMSI: 271047163). The operation was further supported by the tugs 'Kurtarma 21' (IMO: 1066946) and 'Mehmetçik' (IMO: 9816268), showcasing the coordinated efforts of the maritime rescue teams. Once freed from its precarious position, the 'White Line' was towed to safety at the port of Gelibolu. For highlights of the rescue operation, check out the linked video: https://x.com/i/status/2008547335794774407.

On January 3, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., the cargo vessel 'White Line', carrying a crew of nine, ran aground in the Marmara Ereğlisi region of Tekirdağ, situated on the northern shores of the Sea of Marmara. This grounding occurred as the ship was navigating through unexpectedly strong southerly winds while en route from Libya to Martaş for cargo pickup. The powerful winds forced the vessel off its intended course, ultimately leading to its grounding near Santos Beach. Immediately following the incident, teams from the Coast Guard Command and Coastal Safety Directorate were mobilized to the site to address the situation. However, due to adverse weather conditions, efforts to refloat the ship were delayed until conditions improved. On January 4, divers conducted an initial inspection of the vessel, but high waves hampered a comprehensive assessment of its hull. This is not the first grounding incident for the vessel; previously, on June 5, 2021, while operating under the name 'Ramona' and carrying timber from Klintehamn to Riga, it also ran aground just south of Lauterviken, near the Marpes nature reserve along the western coast of Fårö. That incident lasted two days before a salvage vessel successfully refloated and towed 'Ramona' to Kappelshamn. Afterward, the Swedish Accident Investigation Board concluded its inquiry, finding no injuries to individuals or environmental damage. Nevertheless, the case of suspected negligence related to maritime traffic was handed over to the Stockholm District Court, where the Finnish captain faced scrutiny for his prior grounding incident, which had occurred four to five years earlier due to him dozing off. The court discovered that on the second incident, the captain had turned off an alarm meant to alert him to course changes that the ship's autopilot could not manage. The verdict ultimately found him guilty, imposing fines totaling 23,200 crowns. For additional details and visual coverage of the incident, interested readers can find reports and videos at the following links: 1. [Dayko Haber](https://www.daykohaber.com.tr/yuk-gemisi-firtina-nedeniyle-karaya-oturdu-2693) 2. [Itibar Haber](https://www.itibarhaber.com/tekirdag-da-palau-bayrakli-white-line-yuk-gemisi-karaya-oturdu-96635) 3. [Çanakkale Gündem](https://canakkalegundem.net/haber/27170076/yuk-gemisi-karaya-oturdu) 4. [Cumhuriyet](https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/turkiye/tekirdag-da-firtina-yuk-gemisi-karaya-oturdu-2466813) 5. [Avrupa Gazete](https://www.avrupagazete.co.uk/tekirdagda-firtina-yuk-gemisi-karaya-oturdu) 6. [YouTube](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1AdaSGyhnTU) 7. [Uygur Haber Ajansı](https://www.uygurhaberajansi.com/tekirdagda-yuk-gemisi-firtina-nedeniyle-karaya-oturdu) 8. [Tekirdağ Dan Haber](https://tekirdagdanhaber.com/lodos-marmaraereglisinde-yuk-gemisini-karaya-surukledi/) 9. [Hela Gotland](https://www.helagotland.se/nyheter/faro/artikel/efter-ramonas-grundstotning-darfor-ar-det-inte-ett-grovt-brott-men-kaptenen-kan-mista-behorigheten/lz6n7g2j)

On November 30, 2025, the vessel 'White Line' faced detention in Tuapse due to a staggering 11 deficiencies that raised concerns over its seaworthiness and safety standards. The issues identified included significant structural damage to the hull that impaired its seaworthiness. Other critical failures ranged from inadequate lifesaving appliances, including lifebuoy provisions and maintenance inspections, to insufficiencies in onboard training and safety instructions, which were noted as lacking. Additionally, discrepancies in navigation records, pollution prevention practices relating to the Ballast Water Record Book, and improper shipboard handling of garbage were highlighted. The vessel also failed to meet fire safety equipment requirements and had issues with propulsion and auxiliary machinery. Furthermore, the ISM certificate was deemed not up to standard. After thorough checks and rectifications, the 'White Line' was finally released from detention on December 3 and subsequently dropped anchor off Istanbul on December 13. This incident underscores the critical necessity for rigorous compliance with maritime safety regulations to ensure the safety of crew and the marine environment.

On March 20, 2025, the vessel 'White Line' faced detention in Novorossiysk due to 13 significant deficiencies that raised alarming safety concerns. The inspection revealed that the ship's propulsion and auxiliary machinery did not meet required standards, while its fire safety equipment, including firefighting appliances and the fire pump, was reported as inoperative. Additionally, life-saving appliances onboard, such as lifebuoys and inflatable liferafts, were found lacking. Conditions for laborers aboard also came under scrutiny, with issues noted in ropes and wires, anchoring devices, and inadequate lighting in accommodation areas. Further complications were identified with access and structural features of the ship, as well as the weathertight condition of cargo and hatchways. The vessel's ISM certification was also flagged as not being in compliance. Following the necessary rectifications, 'White Line' was released from detention on March 23 and set sail towards Mersin. This event underscores the critical importance of adhering to maritime safety regulations to ensure the well-being of crew and vessel integrity.

In a significant maritime incident, Ronja Marine Ltd., the owner of the vessel "Ramona," has been ordered to provide compensation totaling over 4 million Danish crowns to Rail Net Denmark. This ruling is the result of a collision that occurred on March 28, 2012, when the "Ramona" struck the railway bridge that spans the Limfjord, leading to repair costs for Banedanmark amounting to 46.6 million crowns. Under international maritime conventions, Ronja Marine Ltd.'s liability was capped at 8 million crowns. However, a settlement was reached for the lesser amount of 4 million crowns, which Banedanmark agreed upon after legal counsel suggested it as a prudent resolution. The collision was attributed to challenging water currents affecting the ship's navigation prior to the bridge's opening. The damage inflicted was extensive, necessitating the replacement of the entire link span of the bridge, a process that took over a year to complete.

On April 15, 2013, just before the clock struck midnight, the long-awaited repair of the railway bridge spanning the Limfjord was finally realized. The sheerleg crane 'Samson' successfully hoisted a 350-ton counterweight into place, marking the culmination of efforts following the bridge's unfortunate collision with the vessel 'Ramona' on March 28, 2012. The installation process faced delays due to complications with the so-called shims used to stabilize and extend the crane's legs; these shims were too thick. To resolve this issue quickly, a local blacksmith was called upon to create thinner plates. The journey of the 'Samson' to the bridge commenced at 6:10 p.m., and by 6:30 p.m., the bridge was reopened, enabling the crane to navigate to the repair site. The arrival of the crane and the counterweight at the bridge occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m., bringing an end to the long restoration process. For additional visuals and details, please refer to the Danish maritime news report: http://www.maritimedanmark.dk/?Id=18533.