The Liberia-flagged oil tanker Baltic Star was disabled following a mechanical failure near Nara in the Çanakkale Strait.
The incident occurred on 26 September while the unladen tanker was sailing from Spain to the Turkish port of Tuzla. After experiencing technical problems, the vessel was unable to continue safely through one of the region’s most important shipping routes.
The operation was coordinated by the Çanakkale Vessel Traffic Services Centre. The tugboats Rescue-13 and Rescue-17, accompanied by a maritime pilot, were dispatched to assist Baltic Star.
The tanker was successfully towed to the Dark Harbor anchorage in Çanakkale, where it safely dropped anchor. No injuries or damage to other vessels were reported.
No marine pollution was detected following the incident. As Baltic Star was sailing without cargo, there was no risk of a spill involving the oil it would normally transport.
Built in 2006, Baltic Star sails under the Liberian flag. The oil tanker measures 181.5 metres in length and 27.38 metres in width.
The vessel is expected to remain at the anchorage until a technical inspection is completed and the mechanical failure is repaired.
