Turkish And Greek Coast Guard Boats Collide

According to news reports Turkish Coast Guard vessel TCSG Umut and Greek Coast Guard vessel HCG Gavdos has collided when they were maneuvering near Kardak Islets.

HCG Gavdos sustained damage and reported to be heading to Piraeus to be repaired. There are no reports about any damage on TCSG Umut. But her sister TCSG Güven has observed leaving her home port in Büyükdere Istanbul and heading to the south. It is at this moment too early to say whether she sailed to replace TCSG Umut.

Since both sides are blaming the other for this incident it is not clear at this point how the incident really happened. But since TCSG Umut is the larger and heavier of the ships it is possible that HCG Gavdos may have bear the brunt of the collision.

Here is a comparison between the to ships:

HCG Gavdos seems to be damaged at near the wireless antennas towards the aft of the boat. Photos: protothema.gr and news.in.gr