The captain of a ferry boat was arrested on Friday after a video showed dangerous incident at the port of the island of Andros, Cyclades islands, on Thursday afternoon. ΤHe arrest followed a lawsuit filed by the driver of a private car.
The footage showed a car on the edge of the wharf before the hatch, appearing unable to board the ferry
Passengers and crew members are seen trying to push the vehicle inside, while the ferry is pitched due to the strong winds.
During these efforts, the ship’s hatch is raised causing danger to passengers and crew at the scene, and they seem to jump to avoid falling down or in the sea.
In the end, the ferry is seen to depart slowly, with the “helpers” abandoning the car and ran into the ferry, risking their lives.
Videos:
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https://www.tiktok.com/@nikos_nk/video/7403666853630889249?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7389330201219499552
When the ferry arrived at the post of Karystos on Evia, port authorities arrested the captain of the ferry SAONISOS. The captain is accused of violating article 291 of the Penal Code on dangerous interference with the traffic of ships.
According to media reports, the captain realized that during the loading of the ship in Andros the ferry was swept away due to strong winds blowing with 7 to 8 Beaufort. After the cables were untied, he decided that the best solution would be to start the route to Karystos.
A total of three vehicles and a total of seven passengers failed to board, while there will be a relevant investigation by the port authority as to what exactly happened.
However, questions are also raised about the possible responsibilities of the Port authorities regarding the directive to the ferry to approach the port while strong winds were blowing and also the boarding incident.
An investigation is being conducted by the First Instance Prosecutor on Syros.
Later on Friday, the shipping company SAOS FERRIES announced it had fired the captain and that the schedules of the ferry are being suspended until further notice.
PS As somebody who have sailed a lot since early childhood in the rough and windy Aegean Sea and the islands port without proper infrastructure I have witnessed quite some “dangerous” incidents, when we occasionally had to jump from the hatch with our luggage, going in or out on narrow staircases trembling, bouncing up and down and left to right due to waves and winds.
And this is to confirm how Greeks survive despite all odds and hardships.
It’s only that back then, there were no mobile phones or social media.
“It’s only that back then, there were no mobile phones or social media.” et pas au milieu du mois d’août ?