The Vanuatu-flagged cargo ship Corsage C ran aground on the rocky northern shore of Andros Island, Greece, in the early hours of May 6 after deviating from the safe channel. Significant hull damage caused rapid flooding and the vessel sank. All nine crew members were rescued.
Corsage C was a 1982-built, 3,300 DWT vessel that had departed Ploče, Croatia on May 2 carrying 3,000 tonnes of soda ash bound for Ukraine. Weather at the time of the grounding was reported as favourable.
The nine crew members — eight Turkish nationals and one Azerbaijani — were rescued from the sea and rocks by Hellenic Coast Guard patrol boats, a Hellenic Air Force helicopter, and passing vessels. No fatalities were reported.
Greek authorities arrested the 52-year-old Turkish master and the 32-year-old bridge watch officer on charges of negligence causing a public hazard and shipwreck. Greek intelligence services have also opened a separate investigation after the vessel was found on an international shipping blacklist, with concerns it may have been carrying undeclared cargo in addition to the registered soda ash.
Salvage prospects and environmental impact assessment are under evaluation.
