Turkey: Rescue efforts to start for aground cargo ship

By Burak Akay

CANAKKALE, Turkey (AA) - Rescue efforts will be launched Friday for a Panama-flagged cargo ship that ran aground off Turkey's northwestern Canakkale province a day earlier.

The captain of the cargo ship Kemet Star, aground off Bozcaada district, demanded rescue from the Directorate General of Coastal Safety.

Upon the demand, teams were sent to the area to initiate efforts for underwater survey controls.

Divers will examine the ground around the ship and decide whether there is a safe sailing opportunity after the ship is floated.

It will be floated with the help of tugs deployed in the area.

The ship spanning 149 meters (489 feet) long and weighing 11,848 gross tons was headed from Abu Zenima, Egypt to Turkey’s northwestern Kocaeli Derince Port when it ran aground on Thursday.

​​​​​​​

*Writing by Sena Guler