More than three months after a cargo ship with 25 Indian sailors went missing in the Black Sea, a preliminary investigation report has concluded that the vessel loaded with steel billets had underestimated the bad weather at that time and also possibly ignored the advice of another ship in the area to seek shelter.

The 26-year-old M V Rezzak was on its way from Novorossiisk in Russia to Bartin Limani in Turkey when it was reported missing in bad weather on February 18, about 120 nautical miles from the Turkish coast. Investigations found that the ship may also not have been sea-worthy while authorities have considered piracy and insurance fraud while the Ministry of Shipping has sought the help of Interpol to help know its fate.

The safety investigation conducted by the Indian Maritime Administration has been completed, said a statement issued on Wednesday by the Directorate-General of Shipping (DGS), whose investigator participated as an observer in the probe which collected evidence from Novorossiisk and Bartin Limani. “According to this report, M V Rezzak underestimated the prevailing weather and sea conditions. She sailed out in severe stormy weather conditions,” the statement said.

“Another vessel, M V Adnan Kaptan, also sailed from the port of Novorossiisk around the same time and took shelter in the proximity of land (Turkish Coast) close to Sinop,” it said. “Reportedly, the Master of this vessel advised M V Rezzak to take shelter. However, M V Rezzak altered course and decided to continue on her voyage to Bartin Limani along the coast. The report concludes that M V Rezzak underestimated the severity of the prevailing weather.”

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