Drone-attacked ship "Great Ocean" transits Istanbul's Bosphorus Strait

The "Great Ocean," a 289-meter-long vessel sailing under the Liberian flag, has passed through the Istanbul Bosphorus after sustaining damage from a drone attack approximately one month ago near the Kerch Strait. Reports indicate the crew abandoned the ship following the attack.

Following salvage operations, the "Great Ocean" was towed from its location across the Black Sea to the approaches of the Istanbul Bosphorus by the tugboat "Ramazan Bey," operated by PGE Shipping. To ensure the safe transit of the damaged vessel, maritime traffic in the Istanbul Bosphorus was temporarily halted in both directions starting at 14:40.

A significant escort accompanied the "Great Ocean" through the strait. The General Directorate of Coastal Safety's tugboat "KURTARMA-9" led the convoy. It was supported by other rescue tugboats, including "KURTARMA-3," "KURTARMA-6," "KURTARMA-8," "KURTARMA-11," and "KURTARMA-12," along with the fast rescue boat "KEGM-5." The "Ramazan Bey," which towed the ship from Russia to the Bosphorus entrance, also participated.

After completing the necessary procedures, the "Great Ocean" is expected to be taken to a shipyard for repairs. The incident highlights the ongoing risks to maritime navigation in the region following the drone attack.