An elderly general cargo vessel has run aground at the northern entrance to the Bosphorus in Turkey.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning and has left the 8,035-dwt Natalia (built 1983) with a heel of 20 degrees on its starboard side, reports ship agency company GAC.
The salvage tug Nene Hatun and Turkish Naval Forces were reported to be participating in the search and rescue operation.
The vessel is said to have suffered a mechanical failure and then dragged her anchor in rough sea conditions, reported the Maritime Bulletin.
The crew were reportedly eventually evacuated by rope from the shore as conditions made it difficult for rescuers to use a helicopter.
The vessel, believed to be Comoros-flagged, remains aground in position 41.2179°, 29.3875°, according to latest AIS data.
