Partial evacuation from tug AYAZ BEY off Neptun

Three Turkish sailors from the tug AYAZ BEY have been transferred to the Dutch tug ODIN, which is due to take them to Mangalia. The remaining four refused evacuation following the incident off the Romanian settlement of Neptun on 4 November. News.ro and Digi24 report this, citing updated information from Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. Both reports cite the same institutional source. Flank has found no independent confirmation of the condition of the crew or the tug at the time of publication. This is a developing story and further information may be added.

Collision while towing a damaged ship

According to initial information from Romania’s Interior Ministry, cited by AGERPRES, AYAZ BEY issued an international distress call at around 04:20 following a collision with the ship under tow, MENTOR. The tug was sailing under the Turkish flag and, together with RAMAZAN BEY, was towing MENTOR towards Turkey.

The same statement describes MENTOR as an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged ship, previously damaged in Ukrainian waters off Odesa, with no crew on board. According to the ministry’s preliminary account, bad weather caused the towlines to part. After they had been reconnected, AYAZ BEY collided with the ship under tow. The cause of the earlier damage to MENTOR has not been established.

Two vessels from Romania’s Interior Ministry — one from the Coast Guard and one from the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations — as well as the rescue vessel ARES were mobilised to assist the seven sailors, AGERPRES reports, again citing the ministry. RADOR also describes the operation as hampered by strong winds and very rough seas.

Sinking reports conflict with later clarification

The ministry’s initial statement, cited by AGERPRES, says that AYAZ BEY sank. RADOR also reports that the tug sank. However, the ministry’s subsequent update, carried by News.ro and Digi24, explicitly states that the vessel is at anchor. Digi24 describes it as a tug that had been at risk of sinking.

According to the same update, the four sailors who remained on board said they did not need assistance. The later information provides no basis for continuing to describe the seven people as being searched for.

The reports cited do not explain the discrepancy over the sinking. The current physical condition of AYAZ BEY and MENTOR remains the key unanswered question: the statement that the tug is at anchor does not, in itself, establish the extent of the damage.

Maritime.bg reports monitoring of RAMAZAN BEY off Durankulak

Bulgarian maritime authorities are monitoring RAMAZAN BEY, which continues to tow the damaged ship a few miles off Durankulak, Maritime.bg reports. Flank has found no independent confirmation of this report from the Bulgarian authorities.

Maritime.bg also publishes Automatic Identification System positions for 08:35–08:40. These show RAMAZAN BEY moving south off Durankulak and AYAZ BEY at anchor off Mangalia. These positions can help track movements, but do not verify hull integrity or the security of the towline connection.

For the Bulgarian services, the practical concern is to monitor whether the tow remains under control close to Bulgaria’s coast and whether coordination with Romania will be needed. In Flank’s assessment, there is no confirmed immediate danger to the Bulgarian coast, pollution or involvement of Bulgarian rescue assets.