Within the scope of the investigation into the ship accident carried out by the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the preliminary report was revealed after the expert examination on the ship named ALSU.
THE NATURAL FACTOR THAT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT COULD NOT BE DETECTED
According to the statements of Captain Ahmet Erarslan in the report, it was stated that the wind at the time of the accident was 4 Beaufort force from the north and the sea condition was 3 Beaufort force and slightly turbulent. It was noted that the visibility was approximately 6 nautical miles, there was no fog, haze, showers or heavy currents restricting maneuver in the region, and the nature factor that caused the accident could not be detected.
THE CAPTAIN WAS SLEEPING IN HIS CABIN
In the report, it was stated that Murat Evciman was the only person on duty on the bridge at the time of the conflict, that Evciman joined the ship only one day before the accident, and that his shift at the time of the accident was his first cruising shift on this ship. It was noted that leaving an officer who is not yet familiar with the ship, its maneuverability, personnel and bridge devices alone in a busy traffic lane is a weakness. It was stated that the absence of another lookout, trainee or helmsman on the bridge also reduced situational awareness. It was recorded that Captain Ahmet Erarslan was asleep in his cabin during the accident, woke up with the shock of the conflict, and was able to get to the bridge 7-10 minutes after the accident. While the ship was ordered to sail at "Watch Condition B" level in the official BMM guide, it was stated that the absence of the captain on the bridge and the absence of watchman personnel was an operational management weakness.
IT WAS WRITTEN THAT HE CONTINUED TO TAKE THE ROUTE TO THE PORT INSTEAD OF MAKING AN EARLY MANEUVER.
In the report, it was stated that ALSU's 2nd Officer Murat Evciman established radio contact with the opposing ship, and upon the request of the other party to "escape to the pier", ALSU started to change its course towards the pier. It was noted that when ALSU's course reached 283.9 degrees, with approximately 0.5 miles remaining, Tuğberk İmamoğlu ship momentarily disappeared from the ECDIS screen and returned, and contrary to the radio agreement, it suddenly started to turn to starboard. It was stated that Evciman noticed that the opposing ship was approaching them and turning to starboard at a very close distance of 0.5 miles, and that he continued to change course to port instead of making an early engine stop or reverse maneuver to avoid collision. It was noted that not taking early action to reduce speed or stop the machines may have increased the physical severity of the conflict.
'HE WAS SAILING IN GHOST SHIP MODE'
In the report, it was stated that the Tuğberk İmamoğlu ship sailed in 'ghost ship' mode due to the AIS device being turned off/faulty or not working adequately as a result of external intervention, creating a serious navigational hazard for other ships in the region. Although it was understood in the radio conversations to avoid port, it was noted that the ship's sudden swerving to starboard and cutting the bow line of ALSU in the last 0.5 miles left was the operational defect that physically started the accident. The report stated that why the Tuğberk İmamoğlu ship sank so quickly after the conflict can be evaluated with the information and documents to be added to the file, and that it should also be examined whether there is a load shifting or cargo lashing weakness on the ship.
9 suspects on the Alsu ship were detained regarding the accident in which two Turkish flagged commercial ships collided off the coast of Silivri.
THEIR STATEMENTS WERE TAKEN ON THE SHIP
Within the scope of the investigation, 9 of the 10 people on the Alsou ship involved in the accident, except the cook, were processed as suspects and their statements were taken on the ship. As the investigation and administrative investigation file continued, it was learned that the suspects were kept on the ship accompanied by the gendarmerie, taking into account the security of the ship.
THOSE WHO WILL BE REFERRED TO THE COURTHOUSE
An expert committee was appointed by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to determine the faults of the people involved in the incident. It was stated that after the preliminary report to be prepared by the committee is submitted to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by noon today, it will be determined which suspects will be referred to the courthouse and an instruction will be given to have them ready at the courthouse.
ALCOHOL TEST WAS DONE
It was learned that no alcohol was detected in the tests performed on the suspects on the ship and blood tests were also performed on the suspects for detailed examination.
It was learned that the underwater parts of the Alsu ship will be examined by divers. In addition, in the statements of the suspects, it was stated that 2 or 3 crew members on the Tuğberk İmamoğlu ship were on the deck before the ship sank, and although there is no evidence or sign that they survived, it is possible to reach the bodies of these people if they died, but the wreckage of the ship has not been reached yet. (AA)
In the statement, it was stated that the search and rescue activity was started immediately and the first sea element started to arrive in the region at 04.10, and it was evaluated that "Tuğberk İmamoğlu ship sank after it did not respond to any calls and the mobile phones of the personnel on the ship were not answered even though the Main Search and Rescue Coordination Center called, and the search and rescue activities are immediately initiated and continued by the teams of the General Directorate of Coastal Safety and the Coast Guard Command." In the statement, it was reported that there were 14 maritime search and rescue elements and a helicopter at the scene and that the stricken tanker also participated in the search and rescue operation, and the following was noted:
"The lifesaving devices, including the free-fall lifeboat belonging to the Tuğberk İmamoğlu ship, on which 10 shipmen were on duty, were found on the sea surface. Unfortunately, the ship's personnel could not be identified among them. Developments regarding the sea accident are being followed and the public will be informed."
SHIP OWNER: OUR GUYS TRIED TO LOWER THE LIFEBOATS
Tahsin Doğruyol, the owner of the ship "Tuğberk İmamoğlu", said about the empty lifesaving boats at the accident point: "Our crew tried to lower the lifeboats, but if they couldn't get into them, we don't know what happened. I hope they survived." he said. (AA)
