30.08.2026 15:01
The vessel M/T Golden Sapling, flying the flag of Hong Kong, was attacked by a drone in the Black Sea. While 21 crew members were rescued, the drifting ship ran aground in the Alaçam district of Samsun. Coast Guard and Harbor Master teams have launched an investigation at the scene.
The Hong Kong-flagged vessel M/T Golden Sapling, which was damaged in a drone attack in the Black Sea, ran aground on the coast of Samsun's Alaçam district after drifting there.
SUFFERED A DRONE ATTACK
According to the information obtained, the ship was attacked by a drone at a distance of approximately 90 miles from Sinop Port. Following the attack, all 21 personnel on board were rescued by the ship named Maran Pytha and taken to Novorossiysk Port. After the crew was evacuated, it was learned that the ship, drifting aimlessly, moved toward the shore also due to the adverse weather conditions in the Black Sea. It was determined that the ship last transmitted data on August 26, 2026, at around 02:10.
INVESTIGATION IS BEING CONDUCTED AT THE SCENE
The ship ran aground at a point very close to the shore in the Geyikkoşan area of Alaçam district, Samsun. Upon the notification, Coast Guard and Harbor Authority teams arrived at the scene.
It was reported that the location where the ship would be towed and the procedures regarding its grounding would become clear after the teams' examinations at the scene.