Successful Rescue Operation in the Black Sea: Sailors Rescued

The rescue operation in the Black Sea concluded successfully, ensuring the rescue of the entire crew of the cargo ship EILEEN, announced the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The actions, coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) - Varna, demonstrated a quick and effective response, guaranteeing the safety of the sailors who found themselves in an extremely critical situation.

The tension in the center was palpable. All eyes were fixed on the monitors, following the development of the situation. The distress signal was received at 13:14 hrs today. The message described a damaged cargo ship, EILEEN, sailing under the Cameroonian flag, which had suffered a breach in its hull and was taking on water. The incident occurred in the Bulgarian maritime search and rescue area, about 140 nautical miles east of Varna. The initial information stated that the ship had taken on a list, and the crew had been unable to control the situation independently. Ten Ukrainian sailors had abandoned the ship, using two life rafts.

Following an immediate request for assistance to the Bulgarian Navy, a helicopter was immediately dispatched to the scene of the incident. The corvette "Bodri" was put on standby for departure. With valuable help from the Turkish ship Murat Ilhan, the life rafts were found and located. The ten Ukrainian sailors from the distressed cargo ship were successfully evacuated and taken aboard the Turkish ship, the Ministry of Transport clarified.

Everything happened at an incredible speed. A medical examination at the scene of the incident confirmed that an air evacuation was not necessary. The sailors were transported to a Turkish port. The last member of the crew was received on board the Turkish auxiliary ship at 19:31 hrs.

Darkness was already descending over the Black Sea when the helicopter of the Bulgarian Navy returned to base. The Bulgarian and Romanian cutters, which had participated in the operation, were also released from their tasks. The Ministry of Transport emphasized that the operation was conducted in extremely short timeframes and was successfully completed, confirming the high professional training and coordination between the different units.