The crew onboard Togo-flagged general cargo ship Seama (IMO 7827328) were evacuated with the help of the Romanian Agency for Saving Human Life at Sea after an explosion.
The vessel issued a distress signal at around 06:50, although the precise date has been reported as wither Monday September 18th or Wednesday September 20th, at Sulima Anchorage in the Danube Delta, about 10nm off Sulima. An explosion had damaged the engine room which started flooding. A sea mine was thought to have ben responsible.
The 12 crew members were transferred to Sulima by the Romanian Coast Guard via SAR ship Ares, which had attended along with a tug. They were safely handed over to the ambulance crew from the Port of Sulina at 08:25.
One of the crew as reported to have suffered burns to his right side.
The Seama had arrived at Sulima Anchorage on September 12th, en route from Bartin, northern Turkey, heading for Izmail with a cargo of cement on board. It was at anchor in the Black Sea waiting to enter the Bîstroe Channel.
An investigation has been launched by the Romanian Naval Authority. The Naval Forces sent a minesweeper to the area, with a group of EOD divers on board.
The 4,251 dwt general cargo ship was built in 1981.
https://www.ebihoreanul.ro/stiri/explozie-la-bordul-unei-nave-in-zona-portului-sulina-181418.html