Cargo Ship Sinks off Greece After Grounding Near Andros
A cargo vessel bound for Ukraine sank off the Greek island of Andros after running aground on rocks in the early hours of May 6, triggering a major rescue operation and criminal charges against two senior officers, The Maritime Telegraph reports.
The Vanuatu-flagged Corsage C struck rocks north of Andros after reportedly navigating too close to the coastline. The impact caused severe hull damage, rapid flooding, and the eventual loss of the vessel. The 3,300 DWT cargo ship, built in 1982 and operated by a Turkish company, was sailing from the Adriatic region to Ukraine with a cargo of soda ash onboard.
Greek authorities rescued all nine crew members during a coordinated operation involving coast guard vessels, nearby merchant ships, a ferry, and a helicopter. Two seafarers were recovered from the water, while the remaining crew reached the rocky shore before being evacuated. No serious injuries were reported.
Authorities later arrested the ship’s Turkish captain and a bridge officer on negligence charges related to the grounding and sinking. Inspection records show the aging vessel had previously raised safety concerns. Earlier inspections identified deficiencies involving onboard documentation, rescue equipment, and structural condition, including deck cracks recorded in 2024. Greek authorities also deployed anti-pollution units near the wreck site as a precaution, although no visible pollution has been reported.
