02.09.2026 13:11
The owner of the TUĞBERK İMAMOĞLU vessel, which sank after colliding with the tanker ALSU off the coast of Silivri, İmamoğlu Denizcilik, stated that the captain had warned the other vessel by radio before the accident. The company claimed that, according to initial findings, the accident occurred as a result of the ALSU's navigational movements, and reported that search efforts for the 10 Turkish sailors on board are ongoing.
A new development has occurred in the ship accident off the coast of Silivri in the Sea of Marmara, where search and rescue efforts for 10 sailors are ongoing.
Imamoglu Denizcilik, the owner of the M/V TUG BERK IMAMOGLU, which was en route from Iskenderun to Karadeniz Eregli and loaded with rolled sheet metal, made a written statement regarding the accident. The company shared with the public its assessments based on initial information and voyage records about how the accident occurred.
"IT WAS PROCEEDING IN ITS DESIGNATED TRAFFIC LANE"
In the statement made by the company, it was stated that, in line with the initial information and voyage records, TUG BERK IMAMOGLU was proceeding in its designated traffic lane within the Marmara Sea Traffic Separation Scheme.
The company, which claimed that the ship continued its voyage in accordance with the current international navigation and collision prevention rules, reported that there was no technical failure or malfunction that could have caused the accident.
The statement also expressed that the ship had no technical malfunctions that could affect its navigation or maneuverability before the accident, its necessary annual class surveys had been carried out, and its relevant class and legal certificates were valid.
IT WAS STATED THAT THE CAPTAIN WARNED ALSU BEFORE THE COLLISION
The most striking part of Imamoglu Denizcilik's statement was the radio communication that was said to have been established between the two ships just before the accident.
The company announced that the captain of TUG BERK IMAMOGLU established radio communication with ALSU, warned that the tanker was entering its own navigational area, and issued a warning accordingly.
The company statement included the following expressions: "Before the accident, our ship's captain established radio contact with M/T ALSU, clearly stated that the other vessel was entering our ship's navigational area, and issued the necessary warning."
IT WAS CLAIMED THAT THE ACCIDENT RESULTED FROM ALSU'S NAVIGATIONAL MOVEMENTS
Imamoglu Denizcilik, stating that the collision occurred despite the warning reportedly made by the captain, alleged that, according to their initial findings, the accident occurred as a result of ALSU's navigational movements.
The company, particularly emphasizing that this assessment is based on initial findings, noted that TUG BERK IMAMOGLU sank shortly after the collision. The exact cause of the accident and the responsibility of the parties will be determined after the official investigations and inquiries are conducted.
TEAMS WERE MOBILIZED WITH EMERGENCY SIGNAL
According to the company's statement, an emergency signal was sent from the EPIRB device of TUG BERK IMAMOGLU after the collision. Upon receiving the signal, public institutions were informed of the incident, and search and rescue operations were initiated. Imamoglu Denizcilik announced that the captain of ALSU also later contacted the relevant public units and reported the accident.
According to information previously shared by the General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, the emergency signal from the EPIRB device belonging to TUG BERK IMAMOGLU was detected at 03:26 by the satellite-based search and rescue system COSPAS-SARSAT. The captain of ALSU, on the other hand, called the Vessel Traffic Services Center at 03:41 and reported that they had collided with a ship around 03:15.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR 10 SAILORS
It was reported that the search and rescue efforts initiated after the accident are continuing with the participation of the General Directorate of Coastal Safety, the Coast Guard Command, and other relevant units.
Imamoglu Denizcilik also stated that they are closely following the operations and acting in cooperation with the authorities.
The company, emphasizing that their top priority is to reach the 10 sailors on board, made the following statement: "At this stage, our biggest priority and wish is to reach our 10 sailors on our ship as soon as possible. All our thoughts and prayers are with our sailors and their precious families."
ALL INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE AUTHORITIES
Imamoglu Denizcilik reported that it will cooperate with the authorized institutions in the official investigations and inquiries to be carried out to determine the cause of the accident and the circumstances under which it occurred in all aspects.
The company stated that all necessary information and documents within the scope of the investigation will be submitted to the authorized authorities, expressed that they share the pain experienced by their colleagues and their families, and that they stand by them with all their means. It was stated that new developments regarding the accident will also be shared with the public.