On the morning of Sunday 28th December, 2014 around 0830 hrs the 2011 built Turkish general cargo ship GOKBEL with 11 crew collided with the 1991 built general cargo ship LADY AZIZA and sank in poor visibility just a mile from the Italian Adriatic port of Ravenna.
Guardia Costiera (Italian Coast Guard) Capitano Di Vascello (Commander) Franco Maltese stated that 6 crew members were initially rescued and brought to the port of Marina di Ravenna with one of those rescued later died in the hospital. He said rescuers spotted what was believed to be a corpse in the choppy waters, and Ravenna’s Vigili Del Fuoco (Fire Department) confirmed that that body was found and brought ashore.
Rescue operations were hampered by the weather conditions prevailing at the area of the accident and the search for the four still missing crew was suspended due to darkness and weather conditions. Turkish Transportation Minister Lütfi Elvan confirmed 8 crew on the ship have been rescued and operations to save other three were continuing. Turkey’s Milano Consulate Aylin Sekizkök, meanwhile, said Italian authorities told her that one person found dead.
GOKBEL was built in Turkey by Aydogan Shipyard at Istanbul and homeported at Istanbul (TUR Flag) with Turkish owners.
No one was hurt aboard the LADY AZIZA. The GOKBEL was leaving port and the LADY AZIZA was entering when the collision occurred. Back to 7th May, 2015 salvage operation for the recovery operation which was estimated for nearly EUR 3 million which will be paid by the shipowner or the vessel’s insurance company and the wreck will be towed to Turkey for dismantling upon her lifting coordinated by the Dutch company Smit Salvage under the supervision of the Italian Ministry of Environment and the Harbour Master of Ravenna.
All images goes back to Monday 13th October, 2014 while GOKBEL was entering Grand Harbour, Malta for discharging cargo.
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. NO PHOTOS can be used or manipulated without our permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Thursday 13th May, 2021.
