Azerbaijan’s tanker anchor chain entangles Turkish tanker’s propeller

A technical incident occurred between the ASCO-owned tanker Kalbajar and the Turkish-flagged tanker Alatepe in waters off Istanbul, according to the Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Closed Joint-Stock Company (ASCO).

ASCO said operations to disentangle the tanker’s anchor chain from the propeller of the Turkish-flagged tanker Alatepe were successfully completed after adverse weather conditions caused the incident.

No external rescue forces were required, the company said.

The crew of the Kalbajar restarted the vessel’s engine, manoeuvred it away from shallow waters and safely transferred it to deeper waters.

ASCO said the tanker suffered no damage and that no pollution or leakage was recorded.

The Kalbajar is now fully operational and awaiting instructions for its next voyage, the company added.

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