Ferries to the island groups of the Cyclades and the Dodecanese remain docked at the ports of Piraeus and Rafina since Saturday (Sept 29/2018) morning due to gale force winds in the Central and East Aegean Sea. The sailing ban follows a relevant decision by the Greek Coast Guard.
Mediterranean Cyclone Zorbas is causing rough seas with wave heights up to 7-8 meters as winds are blowing in the South-East Aegean with intensity of 8 and locally up to 9-10 Beaufort.
Sea traffic is partly disrupted also in the Saronic Gulf, the Gulf of Corinth and between Peloponnese and the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia.
Analytically 10:45 a.m. Saturday September 29, 2018
- No ferries to Cyclades and Dodecanese from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina
- No flying dolphins form Piraeus to Hydra, Spetses, Ermioni, Porto Heli.
- No ferries sail in the channel Rio – Antirio
Ferries from Kyllini, Peloponnese, to the islands of Zakynthos and Kefalonia only with the captain’s permission.
- There is no sailing ban for ferries from Rafina to Marmari, South Evia.
- Ferries and flying dolphins from Piraeus to Aegina-Angistri operate as usual.
Information on Guard Guard sailing ban via Athens news agency amna.
UPDATE!
At 12 o’ clock noon the Greek Coast Guard expanded the sailing ban to the Saronic Gulf, Evia and Lavrio.
- No ferries and flying dolphins are allowed to sail in the Saronic Gulf
- Rafina – Marmari ferries banned form sailing
- Ferries remain docked also at Lavrio port.
Medicane Zorbas is currently striking Peloponnese and moving eastwards to Attica.
If you plan to travel today, Saturday, and tomorrow, Sunday, September 29 and 30 2018, better check with local port authorities and travel agents first.
Greece’s National Meteorological Service, the Civil Protection and the Coast Guard issue frequent updates on the situation in the seas.
Emergency phone numbers:
- Coast Guard: 168
- European Emergency Number: 112
Mediterranean Cyclone, Medicane Zorbas, is striking Greece over the weekend, is forecast to have moved from Greece into Turkey as of Sunday evening. More details on Medicane’s forecast path and warnings here.
