Search efforts for businessman Halit Yukay continue... Impact marks revealed in Marmara boat tragedy: Ship captain arrested

Businessman Halit Yukay set sail from Yalova to Bozcaada on August 4 at 15:10 on his boat named Graywolf. When his relatives could not reach Yukay later that same day, they reported the situation to the Coast Guard.

While search efforts were underway, a report of a “shattered and semi-submerged boat” was received from a cargo ship. Coast Guard divers who went to the coordinates off the coast of Marmara Island reached the boat, but no trace of Yukay was found.

WHITE FRICTION MARKS DETECTED ON THE BOAT

During the searches, which continued into the seventh day, white-colored friction marks were detected on the boat. The investigation determined that these marks belonged to a Turkish-flagged ship suspected of being involved in the collision.

Upon the instructions of the Yalova Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the ship's captain, C.T., was taken into custody.

“I SAW BOAT PARTS BUT…”

In his statement, C.T. said that around 17:00 on the day of the incident, he saw boat parts and a lifebuoy at the bow of the ship, that he maneuvered to check, but that he continued his voyage because he did not see any signs of life.

Within the scope of the investigation, camera footage showed that the ship deviated from its route off the coast of Marmara Island and made circular movements, that there were friction marks on the bow of the ship, and that the captain and another person inspected the bow of the ship after arriving at Kocaeli Port. It was also determined that the captain did not report the situation to the Coast Guard.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the collected evidence created a strong suspicion that Captain C.T. had committed the crime of “causing death by negligence.” C.T. was initially released by the Yalova Criminal Court of Peace with judicial control conditions. However, upon the prosecutor's objection, an arrest warrant was issued, and he was sent to prison.

The investigation into the incident, in which the fate of Halit Yukay has not yet been determined, is being meticulously conducted by the Yalova Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.