03.09.2026 16:40
In the expert preliminary report regarding the ship accident that occurred in the Sea of Marmara, it was stated that the captain of the ship Alsu was asleep, an inexperienced third officer was at the helm, and there was no lookout. It was determined that the ship Tuğberk İmamoğlu, which was involved in the accident, had a faulty tracking device and was in 'ghost mode.' The report emphasized that if there had been a lookout on the ship, the accident could have been prevented.
Following the expert examination of the vessel named Alsu within the scope of the investigation into the ship accident conducted by the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a preliminary report has emerged. The report stated that the main cause of the missing persons disaster was 'Bilateral Bridge Discipline Failure, Complete Abandonment of Watchkeeping Standards, and Loss of Situational Awareness.' It was also noted in the report that the sinking could have been prevented if a lookout had been posted on the Alsu.
"SANK RAPIDLY DUE TO THE TEAR"
The report stated that the collision occurred at 03:13, and following the accident, the Tuğberk İmamoğlu sank rapidly due to a tear on its port side, while the ALSU vessel sustained no major damage that would impede navigation or cause water intake, apart from minor scrapes on its starboard side.
"ITS TURN TO STARBOARD IN THE LAST 0.5 MILES WAS THE ACTIVE TRIGGER THAT PHYSICALLY INITIATED THE COLLISION"
The report stated that the main cause of the missing persons disaster was 'Bilateral Bridge Discipline Failure, Complete Abandonment of Watchkeeping Standards, and Loss of Situational Awareness.' The report added, "The Tuğberk İmamoğlu's navigation with its AIS device turned off and its turn to starboard in the last 0.5 miles, contrary to the radio agreement, were the active triggers that physically initiated the collision. However, the root cause behind this trigger resulting in a disaster is the bridge deficiency on the M/T ALSU vessel."