Abandoned Tanker Mentor Breaks Tow off Romania, Tug Crew Rescued
A search and rescue operation was launched in the western Black Sea off Romania after the damaged and unmanned product tanker Mentor broke its towline during a storm. The tanker was being towed from the Odesa area of Ukraine towards Turkey, and Bulgarian authorities say it is now drifting towards the Shabla area on Bulgaria’s northern Black Sea coast.
The Mentor, a 13,000 dwt tanker registered in Antigua and Barbuda, was hit by a Shahed-type drone while at anchor off Odesa on 24 September 2026. Its Ukrainian master was killed and the rest of the crew were evacuated. The ship reportedly still carries about 11,000 tonnes of sunflower oil.
Two Turkish tugs, Ramazan Bey and Ayaz Bey, were towing the tanker. Overnight, in heavy weather, the towline parted and was reconnected once. Ayaz Bey then struck the tanker and was badly damaged, and Romanian officials said the tug was in danger of sinking. Bad weather ruled out a helicopter rescue, so three of its crew were transferred to the Dutch-flagged tug Odin. Four others chose to stay on board and reportedly took the tug to an anchorage.
Bulgaria has ordered Ramazan Bey to stand by the drifting tanker. The nationalities of the tug crews have not been reported.
The incident shows how the risks of the Black Sea conflict continue long after an attack. Tug crews towing damaged ships in winter weather face serious danger, and seafarers on ships in the area should keep a close watch for drifting vessels and follow navigational warnings from Romanian and Bulgarian authorities.
