Black Sea Storm Sends Vessels to Amasra as Port and Road Disruptions Spread

The storm’s effects reached well beyond Amasra’s waterfront: vessels sought shelter in the port, waves flooded parts of the shore, and damage disrupted electricity and road access in nearby areas. Forecasts issued for October 18 and 19 indicated that severe conditions could persist, so the situation called for vessel specific planning and current local updates.

Vessels shelter as waves reach the waterfront

Winds from the northwest reached 80 kilometers per hour in Amasra, according to a DHA report published at 09:12 on October 18. Dry cargo ships offshore were struggling in the strong wind. At Büyük Liman, water driven against the rocks rose to about 6 meters, reaching restaurant windows.

A separate IHA report, carried by Habertürk at 09:27, said ships and boats had taken refuge in Amasra Port. The reports did not identify the vessels or provide IMO numbers or distress call details, so they don’t support a verified vessel by vessel account of incidents. Fishermen stayed ashore as conditions worsened.

At Küçük Liman, waves reached the parking area. The IHA report said people were moved away from a risky stretch of coast and boats hauled ashore were to be moved out of areas exposed to the waves. The storm had begun early that morning, and the port area was flooded.

Damage affects roads and electricity

Impacts extended to Kurucaşile. DHA reported at 09:25 that trees had been uprooted and beach pavilions damaged. Damage to energy lines left the district without power. The same report said the Uğurlu section of the Bartın–Kastamonu–Cide road was closed after trees fell across it, while crews worked to clear the route.

In Arıt Turanlar village, wind tore the roof from a house. These were conditions reported at the time of publication. The articles did not provide later restoration times for the power network or reopening times for the road, so operators relying on either should check for updated local information before planning movements.

Regional reports describe a cyclone, while dates matter

A report published by Dunavmost on the evening of October 17, citing Meteo Balkans, described a cyclone forming about 300–400 kilometers from Burgas. The forecast assessment expected the system to strengthen overnight, with the strongest effects along Turkey’s northern coast. That was a forecast, rather than a record of a new vessel casualty off Bulgaria.

A WMO/IMO METAREA III bulletin issued at 04:00 UTC on October 18 described a low pressure system moving north, with fronts south of the Western Black Sea. Together, those reports point to a cyclonic low pressure system as the feature associated with the storm.

Russia’s Krasnodar regional emergency organization had issued a separate warning on October 17 for Anapa and Temryuk. It forecast southwest winds of 20–25 meters per second and waves of 3–4 meters, and advised people to keep away from the coast and limit trips to sea. The warning remained valid through the evening of October 18 and the night of October 18–19. Its figures describe forecast conditions over that period, not measurements from the previous night.

A Romanian report describing 10-meter waves and closures at Constanța, Midia and Mangalia also appeared in search results, but it was published by Radio România Actualități on October 18, 2011. The matching day and month do not make it evidence about this storm or current port operations.

Among the Romanian and Ukrainian coastal sources reviewed, no verified report identified a new sinking, grounding or rescue operation tied to October 17–18. That search did not cover every maritime safety communication; the lack of a confirmed report in those sources can’t establish that no incidents occurred.

Forecasts remain a factor for vessel operations

Turkey’s MGM sea forecast for October 18–20 predicted winds of 7–9 Beaufort in the Western Black Sea on October 18. It put waves generally at 1.5–2.5 meters, locally at 3.5–4 meters, and at 5 meters offshore. Conditions were expected to ease in the western part after evening, but parts of the area still had forecasts of 6–8 Beaufort for the early hours of October 19.

The WMO/IMO bulletin issued at 04:00 UTC on October 18, corresponding to 07:00 in Turkey, forecast west winds of 9–10 Beaufort south of the Western Black Sea. Beaufort describes wind strength; it is not a speed in meters per second. These figures apply to named areas and forecast periods, so they shouldn’t be treated as one measurement for the entire sea or as a record of conditions already observed.

For mariners, the practical takeaway is to base decisions on current forecasts and the vessel’s own operating limits, alongside the latest port instructions and its safety management procedures. A vessel taking shelter does not establish that the same berth is safe or accessible for another ship. Cargo, seaworthiness and crew safety remain central: Together in Safety’s severe weather guide calls for securing cargo and equipment, keeping designated openings closed, and making deck work limits clear to the crew. If deck work is unavoidable, personnel need continued monitoring; the captain should set speed and heading for the vessel’s specific conditions.

Source: SeaNews Türkiye