What Crew Members Say About Temel-Reis

On April 24, 2018, the vessel 'Temel Reis' encountered a technical issue while docked at Trabzon. As a result, the Maritime Authority suspended its permission to depart until the crew could carry out the necessary permanent repairs. After successfully addressing the malfunction, the ship resumed its journey, departing from Trabzon on April 26 at 10:20 a.m. 'Temel Reis' is now en route to Sochi, with an expected arrival time of April 27 at 2 p.m.

In a significant development, Ankara has granted formal approval for visas for six Ukrainian nationals, who are crew members of the detained dry cargo vessel 'Nemo'. The Consulate General of Ukraine in Istanbul has been actively working on arrangements for the sailors to return home, with discussions taking place on January 5. Official authorization from Ankara to issue these visas was received by the port police in Kocaeli, ensuring a pathway for the crew's departure. The Ukrainian Consulate is also coordinating accommodation for the sailors for the night, preparing for their journey back to Ukraine. The situation is being closely monitored by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. The crew's ordeal began on January 4, 2012, when seven Ukrainian sailors initiated a hunger strike while being held in a Turkish prison in Derince. Their ship, 'Nemo', was detained by local authorities on January 11, 2011, due to financial issues involving the bankrupt owner. Following the ship's transfer to Swedbank Estonia due to unresolved debts, the crew refused to abandon the vessel without receiving their owed salaries. After a prolonged situation, the sailors finally left the ship on December 28, 2011, and were subsequently placed at a Turkish police station, awaiting clearance to leave the country. As of December 28, they have been held in the police department for foreign operations in Izmit, Kocaeli province.

Seven sailors from the Ukrainian cargo ship 'Nemo,' which has been detained in the Sea of Marmara for over a year, have initiated a hunger strike as a plea for help from their government. The crew, currently held in a Turkish prison located in Derince, began their protest on January 4, 2012, seeking urgent assistance due to their dire circumstances. The 'Nemo' was apprehended by Turkish authorities on January 11, 2011, due to outstanding debts of its bankrupt owner. Following the seizure, the vessel was transferred to Swedbank in Estonia as part of the creditor's debt recovery process. However, the crew chose to remain on board, insisting they would not abandon the ship without receiving their unpaid salaries. Despite the plight of the sailors coming to light only in August 2011 through various Ukrainian media outlets, attempts by the Ukrainian consulate to facilitate their return home have been largely unsuccessful. An urgent appeal was made to Andriy Olefirov, Director of the Consular Service Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, highlighting that the ship had run out of essential supplies, including food and fuel, quite some time ago. On December 28, 2011, following multiple requests from the sailors, consular officials relocated them from the ship to a Turkish police facility while they awaited clearance to leave the country. Although permission for their release was granted by Ankara on January 2, the port authorities in Gebze subsequently barred the sailors from departing. As reports indicate that the crew members had already suffered significant weight loss, averaging a decrease of 15-20 kg, they resorted to a hunger strike to draw attention to their plight. The Consular Service Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has been urged to intervene and provide necessary assistance to the stranded sailors.