Tugboat at sea. Photo: Shutterstock A Turkish-flagged tugboat sank in the Black Sea off Romania's coast near Neptun on November 4, 2026, following a collision with a vessel it was towing.
Seven Turkish crew members were aboard the tugboat AYAZ BEY when it issued a MAYDAY distress call at approximately 4:20 a.m. local time.
Romanian emergency services, the Border Police Coast Guard and the Romanian Agency for Life Saving at Sea (ARSVOM) were mobilized for the search and rescue operation.
According to Romania's Ministry of Internal Affairs, the tugboat AYAZ BEY and another tugboat, RAMAZAN BEY, had been towing the vessel MENTOR, which flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. The vessel had previously been damaged in Ukrainian waters near the port of Odessa and was being transported toward Turkey. No crew members were aboard MENTOR.
During the night, adverse weather conditions caused the towing connections to break. Although the connections were subsequently restored, AYAZ BEY collided with the towed vessel and sank.
In an update issued by Romanian authorities, three of the seven sailors were transferred to the Dutch-flagged tugboat ODIN, which is transporting them to the port of Mangalia for disembarkation.
The remaining four crew members refused evacuation, telling rescuers that they did not require assistance. The tugboat AYAZ BEY was reported to be anchored at the time of the update.
The rescue operation involved two vessels belonging to Romania's Ministry of Internal Affairs, one operated by the Border Police Coast Guard and another by the Department for Emergency Situations. The ARSVOM rescue vessel SAR ARES also took part.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) coordinated the operation.
Rescue efforts were complicated by strong winds and very rough seas. Weather conditions also prevented authorities from deploying aircraft during the operation.
Romanian authorities said protecting human life remained the priority and that the operation was being conducted in coordination with all participating emergency services.