A Turkish-owned cargo ship, the HAPPY ARAS, ran aground in the Black Sea on January 6, 2026, after drifting south of the Kerch Strait and taking on water. The incident was confirmed by Türkiye’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs, which noted that the vessel began to take on water after grounding, prompting immediate emergency response from maritime authorities.
All 14 crew members aboard, including three Turkish nationals and 11 others, were successfully evacuated through the coordination of the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center (AAKKM). Officials reported that the crew disembarked safely, with no injuries recorded, and their health conditions were deemed satisfactory.
While the authorities are closely monitoring the situation, they have not provided further details regarding the cause of the vessel’s drift or its condition following the crew’s evacuation. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by maritime operations in the region, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
