During the evening hours yesterday, the Port Authorities of Sitia, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, and Karpathos were informed of an incident involving the grounding of a cargo ship (C/S) flying the flag of Sierra Leone in the maritime area 3 nautical miles west of Cape Sideros, Crete.
Immediately, 3 Coast Guard-Hellenic Coast Guard (HCG) patrol vessels (PV), the fishing vessel (F/V) “ANNA-TASIA” NN 59 with an officer from the Sitia Port Authority on board, nearby ships, and private vessels were dispatched to the area. On board the C/S were 14 crew members, who were safely transferred to the “ANNA-TASIA” in good health and transported to the port of Sitia.
Near the grounded vessel, the tugboats (T/B) “KAPTEN DIMITRIS IV” NP 12948, “MENTORAS” NH 155, and “ACHILLEAS” NP 12883 have arrived to provide assistance, while another T/B is expected. No marine pollution has been observed so far, and a diving team has been sent to the site to conduct an autopsy—inspection of the reefs.
From the Sitia Port Authority, which is conducting the preliminary investigation under the flagrante delicto procedure, the Captain and the acting Officer of the Watch were arrested for violating Article 277, Paragraph 2 of the Penal Code (Causing a Shipwreck) and Article 225 of the Public Maritime Law Code (Violation of collision avoidance regulations). Any developments will be reported in a new Press Release.
