Seven Crew Escape Listing Seahorse Cargo Ship Off Lebanese Coast
A cargo ship off the coast of Lebanon faced a crisis that prompted seven crew members to jump overboard and necessitated a rescue. The Lebanese authorities have since stabilized the vessel, minimizing the risk of capsizing. The ship, named Seahorse, was en route from Turkey carrying timber when it began to list dangerously as it neared Sidon on October 25. Built in 1997, the 100-meter-long vessel is registered in Panama and managed by a Lebanese company.
Initial assessments indicated that a shift in cargo caused the listing. The captain initially reported the situation was under control and declined assistance, but later it was revealed that the ship may have run aground. The port has a maximum draft of 8 meters, yet the Seahorse was reportedly at 9 meters due to water ingress and shifting cargo. As the listing worsened, seven crew members jumped into the water in panic, fearing imminent capsizing. They were subsequently rescued, while nine others, including the captain, remained onboard.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered the ship had malfunctioned, with significant water ingress in the number 5 cargo hold. Conditions onboard were precarious, with 3.5 to 4 meters of water detected. An emergency pumping operation commenced, successfully lowering the water level to between 50 and 60 centimeters. While the ship was still listing, it was deemed stable enough to be moved to the Port of Beirut, where it is now anchored, and plans are underway to offload cargo for further stabilization. The vessel has a history of deficiencies reported during inspections dating back to 2013, including issues noted in its last six inspections.
