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The general cargo ship Razouk has run aground near the northern entrance of the Bosphorus Strait after encountering heavy weather, weeks after the vessel reported being damaged in a suspected attack in the Black Sea.
The 8,749-dwt ship grounded late on 1 February during a storm in the Bosphorus region. Although the Turkish Coast Guard responded to the incident, authorities said the vessel did not initially request emergency assistance. The ship later reported that all 12 crew members were safe and uninjured.
On 3 February, Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety confirmed it received a request for medical evacuation from the vessel. Using a breeches buoy system, responders transferred one crew member ashore for treatment. The individual was later identified as the ship’s captain.
The grounding follows an earlier incident reported on 22 January, when the Razouk said it was struck by an unidentified flying object while sailing off the Turkish coast. At the time, the vessel was reportedly bound for Russia but altered course after sustaining damage. Images circulated following the incident showed shattered bridge windows, debris, and apparent shrapnel damage. (See the vessel track from ShipAtlas below).
Built in 1997, the 100-metre vessel is registered under the Comoros flag and owned by Turkish interests. The Razouk has a lengthy history of port state control deficiencies.
In December 2025, the ship was detained in Romania for 14 days after inspectors recorded 41 deficiencies, including structural corrosion, safety equipment failures, and issues related to crew accommodation and documentation. Earlier inspections at Novorossiysk identified 28 deficiencies, and records show the vessel has been cited in at least 15 consecutive inspections since 2020, with issues dating back more than a decade.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the prior damage or the ship’s condition contributed to the grounding. The vessel remains under observation as officials assess next steps.
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