In brief
The merchant vessel AS Dream, flying the flag of Tanzania, went down roughly 90 nautical miles west of Cyprus. All ten crew were rescued by Cyprus maritime authorities and taken to Limassol port. The incident highlights the readiness of regional maritime rescue services.
A Tanzanian-flagged merchant ship named AS Dream sank on a voyage near Cyprus in late July 2014, approximately 90 nautical miles west of the island. The vessel was travelling in the Search and Rescue Region of the Republic of Cyprus when it began to take on water and ultimately went down.
According to the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC), the incident was reported and an immediate response was launched. The center coordinated rescue boats and a merchant ship, the MSC Hannah III, to attend to the burning vessel. All ten crew members aboard were removed from the sinking ship and transferred to the rescue apparatus.
The crew were then carried on a rescue boat named Pentadaktylos, operated by the Port and Marine Police. From there they were transported to the port of Limassol, where they were taken ashore and handed over to local authorities for further assistance. The entire operation was conducted without any loss of life.
Rescue Operations in Detail
The Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) stated:
"The Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) received information that the Tanzanian Flag commercial vessel AS DREAM, carrying 10 crew members, was sinking approximately 90 nautical miles west of Cyprus, within the Search and Rescue Region (SRR) of the Republic of Cyprus," the center said. "All crew members were rescued by the MSC Hannah III and subsequently transferred to Rescue Boat Pentadaktylos of the Port and Marine Police, which transported them to Limassol Port."
The MSC Hannah III, a merchant service vessel based in Larnaca, was among the first responders and provided lifesaving equipment, including lifeboats and medical supplies. The rescue boat Pentadaktylos, belonging to the Port and Marine Police, provided swift transfer to shore and helped stabilize the crew during their return to port.
The operation showed the efficiency of Cyprus’ maritime emergency coordination and the collaboration between foreign merchant ships and local port authorities. The Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center later announced that the incident had completed a full rescue operation with all crew members accounted for and safe.
No injuries were reported among the rescued crew, and the incident served as an example of the highest level of maritime safety procedures practiced in the region.
