And while such interests should not be overlooked, they cannot, however, dominate the far more important issue of the safety of Istanbul and the fragile maritime environment of the Straits. It should be recalled that 41 men drowned and burned to death in 1979 as a result of the collision of the lndependentza-Evriali and 26 men met an equally tragic end with the collision of the 'Nassia' and 'Shipbroker' in 1994. It remains difficult to justify a few hours of delay against the actual human cost. If is hoped that the maritime community will raise its voice against the narrow interests who have chosen to circumvent safety for other motives using such respectable organizations as ICS and IMO as their accomplices in seeking to endanger not only the safety of the people of Turkey and a city with a three thousand year history, but also the very seafarers who make the maritime industry possible. Small ships less than 200 meters long can cruise throughout the Strait vvithin TSSs -safely.
Collision is unavoidable if a ship of similar length comes from the opposite direction.
Designed by Capt.