Video: Livestock Carrier Blown Aground off Turkey

The Lebanese-flagged livestock carrier Wardeh has gone aground near the port of Mersin, Turkey. The vessel dragged anchor in heavy weather and found bottom a few hundred meters from shore. 

The vessel had been anchored in the harbor for many months, and Turkish media reports suggest that she was awaiting new work after failed negotiations for a sale. Two crewmembers are on board, and Turkish Coast Guard teams are working to safely evacuate them. 

The storm also caused flooding along the port city's waterfront and along the Sini River. Strong winds with gusts to 55 knots toppled trees and billboards, and several buildings suffered damage. 

The 1978-built Wardeh is owned by a Lebanese company, and in recent years she was active in the South American livestock trade. A 2016 inspection in Cartagena found a wide range of deficiencies, including issues with her fire pump, main engine, lifesaving devices and MARPOL compliance. A followup in 2017 at the same port found additional issues, including several fire safety deficiencies related to firefighting equipment, alarms and means of escape.