Global Sumud Flotilla Navigates Rough Weather in the Mediterranean Sea
ISTANBUL, Turkey – The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) remains in the waters between Turkey and Greece. On the second day of its voyage from the port of Marmaris, the humanitarian ships chose to drop anchor in several bays to avoid the bad weather, such as strong winds and high waves, which occurred throughout Friday (May 15, 2026) in international waters between Turkey and Greece.
The humanitarian ships that were in the leading group of the voyage, on Friday afternoon, chose to turn back and re-enter Turkish waters. One of the ships, Bora Alize, carrying Republika journalist Bambang Noroyono, along with about 30 other ships, chose to drop anchor in Antalya Bay since Friday (May 15, 2026) evening.
Meanwhile, the ship Ozgurluk, carrying Republika journalist Thoudy Badai, chose to drop anchor near the Kastellorizo Islands, Greece. The humanitarian ships dropped anchor to rest and recover without docking on land. Since the first day of the voyage from the port of Marmaris, on Thursday (May 14, 2026) afternoon, the 54 ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla had begun to feel significant changes in the weather while sailing to international waters.
Throughout Thursday (May 14, 2026) night, strong winds and storms in the waters off southern Turkey caused high waves. On the Bora Alize, which carried nine participants, they worked hard to stay afloat in the ship’s condition, which was swaying heavily against the waves and wind. All participants on the Bora Alize experienced seasickness and vomited at least twice each.
Throughout Friday (May 15, 2026), the situation did not improve. The participants were still not fully recovered from the dizziness caused by seasickness. However, the ships continued to sail in conditions of strong winds and high waves. Some ships that had managed to enter international waters, on Friday (May 15, 2026) afternoon, were forced to return to Turkish waters.
Based on communication and guidance from the Global Sumud Flotilla’s ground team, the humanitarian fleet was guided to look for bays that could avoid the increasingly strong winds and increasingly rough sea waves. Therefore, the fleet divided the ships into two groups to take shelter in calm waters and repair the situation.
The first group of ships took shelter in Kastellorizo Bay, Greece. Meanwhile, the majority of the other humanitarian ships chose Antalya Bay to take shelter. Since early Saturday (May 16, 2026), the humanitarian ships dropped anchor to rest in calm waters, as well as to consolidate the situation. The crew and all participants also helped each other to repair the condition in the ship, which had been disrupted due to the harsh conditions.
The crew and participants also helped each other to check the condition of the ship, sails, and communication networks. And the special technicians will also begin checking the ship’s engines to ensure they remain in prime condition. Because it is planned that the humanitarian ships will sail out of Turkish waters again to enter international waters to continue the mission to break the Gaza blockade.