Russian and Turkish authorities have reported that the storms lashing the Mediterranean and Back Sea rank among the strongest they have ever experienced.
At least five ships have been reported to have needed assistance as strong waves in the Black Sea forced many to run aground on shore during the past week.
In the Mediterranean, a derelict ferry washed ashore on the northern coast of Sicily.
Built in 1992, the 14 500 gross tonne Benjamini Carnevale had been idle in Naples, after it was damaged in a fire in January 2022.
The vessel, sold on auction last month and renamed Lider Prestij, was scheduled to be towed to Turkey where she may be headed for scrap.
She sailed from Naples under tow but parted her tow line in high seas on the Mediterranean and began drifting on Saturday before she ran aground, approximately 10 miles from Milazzo on the northern coast of Sicily on Sunday.
Italy’s coast guard, Guardia Costiera, reported that it is supervising salvage efforts, which started on Monday.
In another incident, Turkish authorities responded to a call for help from the 3 666 dwt vessel Vamos, a Cameroon-registered cargo ship that was sailing along the northern coast on the Black Sea.
The vessel was driven ashore near Inebolu where the local fire departments dispatched teams to evacuate 11 crewmembers.
The first team to arrive was only able to evacuate six crew members before the rocking ship damaged the ladder on their truck.
One crew member went overboard but was rescued and taken to the hospital.
The second team arrived from a neighbouring district and rescued the remaining crew members.
Another vessel, the 4 000 dwt FR Pearl, a small cargo ship registered in Palau, was also driven ashore in eastern Turkey near the border with Georgia on Monday.
Local authorities rescued 13 crewmembers with a breeches buoy.
Russia’s maritime rescue squad responded to a call for help when the 27 300 dwt bulker, Blue Shark, transporting Barley to Egypt, was driven ashore near Vityazevo.
It was decided that the crew of 21 should stay on board until the weather cleared.
Ports in Ukraine and Crimea suspended exports of grains and fuel due to the stormy weather. – SOURCE: Maritime Executive
