BYB Othello Crew Evacuated by Breeches Buoy Near Bosphorus

Engine Failure Leads to Shore Rescue

On November 6, 2026, Turkish-owned cargo ship BYB Othello ran aground near the northern entrance to the Bosphorus after a main engine failure in heavy weather. A shore-based rescue team of Türkiye’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety (KEGM) evacuated all 13 crew members by breeches buoy, or “varagele,” after sea conditions ruled out a rescue from the water. According to The Maritime Executive, the vessel called for help around 0240 local time after losing propulsion near the Istanbul Anadolu Lighthouse while sailing from Kocaeli toward Ukraine.

How the Rescue Unfolded

KEGM sent the rescue boat Bayrak-1 and tug Kurtarma-11 to the area. Heavy seas prevented a rescue from the water. KEGM’s shore rescue team deployed a traditional breeches buoy line around 0600 and brought all 13 crew members ashore in about half an hour. The 97-meter, 5,000-dwt bulk carrier, built in 2008 and flagged in St. Kitts and Nevis, remained aground when the report was published.

A Vessel With a Troubled Inspection History

The report says BYB Othello underwent six Port State Control inspections over the previous 17 months. Inspectors recorded 90 deficiencies. The latest inspection, about a week and a half before the casualty, recorded 17 issues, including hull and structural-condition deficiencies, liferaft stowage, and fire-safety equipment.

What This Means for Owners and Charterers

Repeated PSC deficiencies can indicate operational risk before a casualty. Structural integrity and lifesaving or firefighting equipment merit scrutiny alongside machinery maintenance. Technical superintendents and charterers assessing tonnage can review the vessel’s maintenance regime as well as its paperwork. A main engine failure near the Bosphorus approaches can lead to grounding and evacuation in confined, high-traffic waters during heavy weather, with salvage, pollution, and liability exposure.

Next Steps for the Grounded Vessel

BYB Othello remained aground near the lighthouse. Salvage operations, pollution-risk assessment, and an investigation into the main engine failure may follow. The source does not link earlier deficiencies, including structural deficiencies, to the casualty.