On September 18, a Turkish Coast Guard helicopter successfully rescued seven crew members from the Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship Rapid, which had run aground off the Kocaeli coast. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported among the crew, and authorities confirmed that no environmental pollution occurred. The 81-meter vessel, built in 1991, was carrying 2,135 tonnes of gypsum from Bartın, Turkey, to Chornomorsk, Ukraine, when it was pushed ashore by strong winds and heavy waves.
The rescue operation involved the Turkish Coast Guard, the General Directorate of Coastal Safety (KEGM), local fire services, and disaster management teams. Initially, a Coast Guard vessel attempted a rescue, but adverse weather conditions necessitated the use of a helicopter, TCSG-504, to airlift the crew. A patrol boat, TCSG-910, provided support from the water. Among the rescued were six Ukrainians and one Iranian, all reported to be in good health following the incident.
Authorities indicated that salvage operations would resume once weather conditions improved. The Rapid has a history of safety issues, having been detained previously for deficiencies, including a non-functional navigational alarm. Officials attributed the grounding solely to severe weather conditions.
