Successful Salvage of Omani Oil Tanker Grounded off Turkey’s Bozcaada Coast

Drone footage has captured the successful rescue operation of the Omani-flagged crude oil tanker QENDIL, which ran aground off the coast of Bozcaada, Çanakkale, highlighting Turkey’s advanced maritime salvage capabilities.

The 249-meter-long tanker, en route from Aliağa to Yalova, grounded on January 4 after encountering a severe southerly storm. Although the vessel was empty at the time, it remained stranded for 12 days, prompting a carefully coordinated response by Turkey’s General Directorate of Coastal Safety.

Throughout the operation, salvage teams closely monitored weather and sea conditions to ensure a safe refloating attempt. During suitable weather windows, specialized rescue vessels , including NENE HATUN, GEMİ KURTARAN, KURTARMA16, KURTARMA17, and KIYI EMNİYETİ-6, were deployed to assist in the complex salvage effort.

After days of sustained operations, the tanker was successfully refloated and transferred from its grounded position to a secure anchorage area, avoiding environmental damage and navigational risks in the region.

The newly released drone footage provides a clear aerial view of the large-scale operation, showcasing the precision, coordination, and technical expertise involved. The rescue underscores Turkey’s strong maritime safety infrastructure and its readiness to respond effectively to coastal and shipping emergencies.