Turkey to Halt Bosphorus Traffic Over Y2K

Updated 5:14 AM ET December 7, 1999

ANKARA (Reuters) - The Turkish government will close the Bosphorus strait to sea traffic for ships over 3,000 tonnes for 12 hours from 1600 GMT on December 31 to minimize possible effects from the millennium bug problem in computers, a government report said.

"Ships over 3,000 tonnes will not be allowed to pass through the strait from 1600 GMT on December 31, 1999 to 0400 GMT on January 1, 2000 for traffic safety," the report from the government's Y2K committee said.

The report also said ships longer than 200 meters will not be allowed to sail through the 19-mile-long strait unless they provide millennium compliance certificates and ensure that their cargo is not dangerous.

"If such big ships do not have a certificate, they will not be admitted in to the strait during the risky period," it said.

Some 60,000 vessels pass through the strait every year. It is key for trade of goods to and from Russia, Ukraine and Romania.

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Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), December 07, 1999

Answers

Many of the ships of the russian fleet need to go thru there wanna bet they will go thru doesn't mater what Turkey say's.

-- me (justme@justme.yes), December 07, 1999.

Will this affect our navy boys headin over to help the Ruskies with their sub reactors?

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), December 07, 1999.

Do you get the feeling we're about to experience... "The Day The Earth Stood Still?" Only different.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), December 07, 1999.

Diane,

We could try saying "Klaatu barada nikto", but there's never a Gort around when you need one.

Jerry

-- Jerry B (skeptic76@erols.com), December 07, 1999.