The Egyptian captain of the tugboat "Safi Em", Youssef Othman Abu Stait, has spoken exclusively to Al-Masry Al-Youm about the tragic sinking of the ship "Noran" in Turkish waters. The incident occurred on Wednesday, after the ship was being towed to Turkey carrying a cargo of 8,100 tons of coal. Captain Abu Stait recounted the dramatic events that unfolded as the ship struggled in severe weather conditions.
According to Captain Abu Stait, the ship "Noran" was being towed by "Safi Em" when it encountered a severe storm, resulting in the tugboat being pushed off course. The adverse weather conditions caused water to flood the ship, leading to its rapid sinking. Despite the dire circumstances, Captain Abu Stait and his crew managed to cut the towing cables, preventing the tugboat from also sinking.
Captain Abu Stait praised the swift actions of his crew, which undoubtedly prevented a more catastrophic outcome. He attributed their survival to divine intervention, citing the crew's heroic efforts in responding to the emergency. The captain expressed gratitude for the support and credibility offered by Al-Masry Al-Youm, which was the only media outlet he chose to communicate with during this ordeal.
The incident has been confirmed by Sidi El-Shazly El-Nagar, head of the Egyptian Marine Officers' Union and representative of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) in Egypt. El-Nagar acknowledged that the sinking of the ship was an inevitable consequence of the turbulent sea conditions, which made it impossible for the ship to dock at the Turkish port of Samsun.
El-Nagar commended Captain Abu Stait's expertise and the crew's prompt response in averting a more disastrous outcome. He highlighted that the crew successfully cut over 400 meters of towing cables within a remarkably short period, underscoring their exceptional seamanship. This heroic act undoubtedly saved lives and ensured the safe recovery of the deceased captain's body.
The sinking of the ship "Noran" has raised concerns about maritime safety and the risks faced by crew members. The incident serves as a testament to the bravery and professionalism of Captain Abu Stait and his crew, who demonstrated exceptional composure in the face of extreme adversity.
The Egyptian authorities are expected to work closely with their Turkish counterparts to investigate the incident and determine the cause of the ship's sinking. The crew of "Safi Em" will likely be hailed as heroes for their role in preventing a more tragic outcome, and their actions will be remembered as a remarkable display of courage and seamanship.
Key points
- The ship "Noran" sank in Turkish waters while being towed by the Egyptian tugboat "Safi Em", carrying a cargo of 8,100 tons of coal.
- Captain Youssef Othman Abu Stait and his crew demonstrated exceptional heroism in responding to the emergency, cutting towing cables to prevent the tugboat from also sinking.
- The incident has raised concerns about maritime safety, and an investigation is expected to be conducted by Egyptian and Turkish authorities.
