Tugboat sunk in the Black Sea, near Neptun: Three sailors were rescued while four refused evacuation

Structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are participating on Wednesday in a search and rescue operation for seven Turkish sailors after the AYAZ BEY tugboat sank in the Black Sea, near the town of Neptun. The operation is being hampered by strong winds and very rough seas.

The tugboat, sailing under the Turkish flag, sent an international distress message at around 04:20 after colliding with the MENTOR vessel, sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. According to the available information, AYAZ BEY and RAMAZAN BEY were towing the MENTOR vessel, which had previously been damaged in Ukrainian waters near the port of Odesa, and were transporting it to Turkey. MENTOR had no crew on board.

During the night, the towing lines broke due to the weather conditions. Although they were subsequently reattached, AYAZ BEY collided with the vessel being towed and sank.

“Three crew members were picked up by the ODIN tugboat, sailing under the Dutch flag, and will be transported to the port of Mangalia, where they will be disembarked. The other four people refused evacuation, stating that they did not need assistance,” the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported. At present, the AYAZ BEY tugboat is anchored.

Vessels of the Border Police and the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, as well as the SAR ARES vessel of the Romanian Agency for Saving Lives at Sea, took part in the operation. The intervention is being coordinated by MRCC. Air assets cannot be used at the moment.